plate no. 8352

Woman with a Burning Candle

Alphonse Mucha, 1933

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitfigurecandleportraitclothinginteriorlight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering fabric and creating a sense of atmosphere using light and shadow. It also provides practice in portraiture and depicting complex folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and candle.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the light source (the candle) and its effect on the surrounding objects.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Refine the folds and textures of the fabric, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the details of the candle and its flame, capturing the warm glow.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · burnt sienna

Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing raw umber and white, and adding small amounts of red, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna to adjust the color temperature. Use ivory black sparingly to darken values.

techniques