plate no. 9241

Woman at Her Toilette

Mary Cassatt, 1909

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitmirrorreflectiontableperfume bottle

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing reflections. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through brushwork and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mirrors, and table.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, figure, and objects, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Refine the details of the face and hands, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Paint the reflection in the mirror, simplifying the details and softening the edges.
step 06
Add the details of the clothing, table, and perfume bottle.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · rose madder · yellow ochre · titanium white · viridian

secondary · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium yellow light

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, rose madder, and white, adjusting the proportions to create different shades. Use viridian and yellow ochre to create the green tones in the dress. Add small amounts of ivory black to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·portraiture
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the reflection.
→Using too much detail in the background.
→Creating muddy skin tones.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: rose madder, yellow ochre, titanium white, viridian, ivory black, raw umber, cadmium yellow light
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags