plate no. 2245

Woman Standing in a Door

Janos Tornyai, 1934

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfiguredoorwaygardenbuildingfoliagelight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It will also improve their ability to create depth using color temperature and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the doorway, figure, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the doorway, figure, and background with thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the doorway and figure.
step 04
Develop the background foliage, focusing on color variations and suggesting depth.
step 05
Add details to the figure, such as the folds in the dress and the suggestion of facial features.
step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 07
Add highlights and details to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to color and value to achieve a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve warm browns by combining burnt sienna and alizarin crimson. Use white to lighten values and create subtle color variations.

techniques