plate no. 5862

Woman Ironing

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurewomanirontableclothingdomestic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing form with loose brushstrokes and creating a moody atmosphere using a limited palette. It also encourages observation of subtle shifts in value and color temperature to define the figure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, iron, and table.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and black, leaving areas for the figure to emerge.
step 03
Block in the figure's form with a mid-tone mixture of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and contours, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Introduce highlights with lighter mixtures of white and yellow ochre, focusing on areas where light hits the figure.
step 06
Paint the iron and other objects with dark, muted colors, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details and edges of the figure and objects, softening some areas and sharpening others.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to enhance the overall mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of burnt umber. Use black and burnt umber for the dark background and iron. A touch of blue can cool down the shadows.

techniques