plate no. 3946

Woman Sewing

Mary Cassatt, 1914

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitdressflowersstill lifedomestic scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, color mixing for skin tones, and creating soft, impressionistic brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow on fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, the vase of flowers, and the other objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's dress and skin.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and values, paying attention to the light and shadow on the figure's face and hands.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the flowers, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of texture.
step 05
Add details to the dress and the objects in the background, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the skin tones, using subtle variations in color to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of dimension and form.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · viridian · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the green of the dress by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and burnt umber.

techniques