plate no. 3107
Woman Sewing at a Window
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice rendering form with subtle value changes and capturing the effect of light filtering through a window. It also provides an opportunity to study the nuances of painting a dark figure in a dimly lit space.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, window, chair, and room boundaries.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Develop the figure's form, paying close attention to the subtle gradations of value in the dress.
- step 05
Refine the details of the window and chair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add the patterned wallpaper, using a dry brush technique to suggest the design without over-defining it.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white
Mix blacks with umbers and siennas to avoid a flat, lifeless black. Use white sparingly to create subtle highlights and to lighten the ochre for the window light.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·value study
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, especially in the background.
- →Making the figure too dark and losing the subtle value changes.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
- →Failing to capture the effect of light filtering through the window.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints: ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Assorted round and flat brushes
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for smooth blending. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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