plate no. 3695

Three Breton Women in the Forest

oilCloisonnismgenre paintingfiguresforesttreeswomenlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and stylized image. It also provides an opportunity to explore expressive brushwork and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the three figures.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the background forest, the figures' clothing, and the ground.
step 03
Develop the colors of the trees, using variations of red and brown.
step 04
Add details to the figures' faces and hands, paying attention to the simplified forms.
step 05
Refine the colors and values in the clothing, creating subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Add texture to the ground with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · red · green · yellow · black

secondary · brown · orange

Mix various shades of red and brown for the trees. Use yellow and white to create the highlights on the figures' head coverings and skirts. Mix green and brown for the ground.

techniques