plate no. 4134
Woman in a Black Hat, Berthe la Sourde
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing expressive brushstrokes and capturing a likeness with a limited color palette. Students will learn to simplify details and focus on essential forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color, focusing on the background first.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure, paying attention to the values and shapes of the clothing and hat.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the face, using short, directional brushstrokes to define the features.
- step 05
Develop the texture of the chair and background with broken color and visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the clothing and umbrella, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjust the overall composition as needed.
- step 08
Sign your work.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · titanium white
Mix ivory black with burnt umber and a touch of ultramarine for the dark tones of the clothing and hat. Use raw sienna and white for the warmer tones of the chair and background. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to the face for warmth.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow the brushstrokes to show through. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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