plate no. 5934
Vera Cuningham in a Chair
Matthew Smith, 1926
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and mood. It also encourages simplification of shapes and capturing the essence of the subject rather than precise details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall color relationships.
- step 03
Develop the color variations within each area, mixing colors directly on the canvas.
- step 04
Use bold, visible brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
- step 05
Pay attention to the edges of shapes, varying the sharpness and softness.
- step 06
Add details to the face and hands, keeping the overall impressionistic style.
- step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure and doesn't distract.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making final adjustments.
color palette
primary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue
secondary · viridian · burnt umber · titanium white
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and use white to create lighter tints. Achieve the darker tones by mixing burnt umber with blue or red.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
- →Not paying attention to the color relationships between different areas.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
