plate no. 2452
Young woman with the red umbrella by the sea
Alfred Stevens, 1885
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, horizon line, and major elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, sand, and the woman's dress.
- step 03
Develop the sky with soft, blended colors, creating a sense of atmosphere.
- step 04
Layer the sea with varying shades of blue and green, adding subtle reflections.
- step 05
Build up the sand with textured brushstrokes and warm, earthy tones.
- step 06
Refine the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the details of the face.
- step 07
Add details such as the boats, figures in the water, and small rocks on the beach.
- step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cadmium red · cerulean blue · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · viridian
Mix various shades of pink and red for the dress by combining cadmium red, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Achieve the turquoise of the sea by mixing cerulean blue with a touch of yellow ochre and white.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a flat and uninteresting palette.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast, resulting in a muddy and indistinct composition.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point, causing the viewer's eye to wander aimlessly.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber can help to unify the colors.
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