plate no. 2872
Washer Woman
Robert Spencer, 1919
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in depicting figures in a natural, everyday setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin adding texture and detail with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 04
Work on the figures, defining their forms with subtle color variations.
- step 05
Develop the background, using similar brushstrokes to create a sense of depth.
- step 06
Refine the details of the laundry baskets and clothing.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
- step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · cadmium red light
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create subtle shifts in color temperature.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →over-blending the colors
- →losing the sense of light and shadow
- →getting bogged down in details too early
- →not varying brushstrokes enough
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the broken color effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
