plate no. 9741

Woman on the Balcony

Le Pho, 1938

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigurebalconyflowersportraitgardendress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the woman, the balcony, and the background figure.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the skin tones, the dark dress, the background, and the flowers.
step 03
Begin layering colors to create depth and form, focusing on the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color.
step 05
Paint the flowers and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the background figure, keeping it soft and ethereal.
step 07
Add the details of the balcony, using a slightly darker shade of green.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Darken colors with ivory black and raw umber. Use white to create lighter tints and to soften edges.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a harsh, unnatural effect.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Not simplifying the forms enough and getting bogged down in unnecessary details.