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home·artworks·Woman on a Bench
Woman on a Bench by Edwin Austin Abbey

plate no. 8006

Woman on a Bench

Edwin Austin Abbey

oilRomanticismgenre paintingwomanbenchtreesparkbookslandscape
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering soft, diffused light. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the main shapes: the bench, the figure, the trees, and the distant buildings.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.

  3. step 03

    Block in the larger areas of color for the grass, trees, and sky, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.

  4. step 04

    Begin to define the details of the bench and the figure, using thicker paint and more precise brushstrokes.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the trees and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.

  6. step 06

    Refine the highlights and shadows, especially on the figure and the books on the bench.

  7. step 07

    Add the final details, such as the small plants in the foreground and the details of the distant buildings.

  8. step 08

    Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · viridian · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix greens by blending viridian with yellow ochre and ivory black. Use alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue to create purples and grays for shadows.

techniques

  • ·broken color
  • ·scumbling
  • ·glazing
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·alla prima

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
  • →Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
  • →Losing the overall sense of atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·oil paints
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine
  • ·round brushes
  • ·flat brushes
  • ·palette knife
  • ·palette

optional

  • ·painting medium
  • ·retouch varnish
  • ·easel

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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