plate no. 0052

Woman with a Double Bass

Suzanne Valadon, 1908

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfiguredouble bassinteriorwindowfireplaceplaid skirt

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting form with simplified shapes and understanding color relationships within a limited palette. It also encourages practice in capturing the essence of a subject rather than photorealistic detail.

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, double bass, and background elements (window, fireplace, etc.).
step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes. Focus on the overall color scheme and value relationships.
step 03
Begin to build up layers of paint, adding more detail and definition to the forms.
step 04
Pay attention to the light and shadow on the figure and double bass, using darker values to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and other key areas.
step 06
Add the plaid pattern to the skirt, simplifying the design and focusing on the overall effect.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt orange · Prussian blue · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre

Mix burnt orange with raw umber for the darker tones of the double bass. Use white and a touch of blue to create the light blue of the shirt. Mix raw umber and white for the walls.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brush
·scumbling
·simplified form

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Getting bogged down in precise rendering
→Ignoring the overall color harmony
→Making the plaid pattern too complex
→Incorrect proportions of the figure and instrument

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (burnt orange, Prussian blue, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags