plate no. 3149

Time of the Old Women

oil, canvasRomanticismgenre paintingfigureswomendeathbroombooksatire

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in glazing, creating atmospheric perspective, and rendering complex drapery with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting expressive figures and conveying a narrative through composition and symbolism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of muted colors, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin layering glazes to build up the skin tones, using subtle variations of reds, browns, and yellows.
step 05
Develop the drapery of the dresses, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the faces, emphasizing the expressive features and wrinkles.
step 07
Paint the broom and the book, paying attention to their textures and details.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add final touches to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted, aged tones by mixing earth pigments with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.

techniques