plate no. 3972

Woman on the Verandah

Edvard Munch, 1924

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigureportraitwindowinteriorrobetable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through layering and brushwork. It's also a good exercise in capturing a mood or feeling through expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, window, and table.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall values and color temperature.
step 03
Start defining the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the robe, using vertical strokes to suggest the fabric's texture.
step 05
Develop the background, using loose brushstrokes to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any final adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker tones of the robe and background. Use cadmium red and titanium white to create the skin tones, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt umber to adjust the color temperature.

techniques