plate no. 1837

Young Woman with a Water Pitcher

oil, canvasBaroquegenre paintingfigurewindowtablepitchermapinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand subtle color mixing for realistic skin tones and drapery, as well as how to depict light and shadow to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figure, window, and table.
step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin painting the background wall, mixing subtle variations of off-white and gray.
step 04
Paint the figure's skin tones, using thin glazes to build up color and form.
step 05
Render the white headscarf, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 06
Paint the blue dress, using darker blues in the shadows and lighter blues in the highlights.
step 07
Add details to the table, pitcher, and other objects, paying attention to reflections and textures.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber to create the subtle tones of the wall and headscarf. Use glazes of burnt sienna and cadmium red light to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques