plate no. 4907
A young boy is sitting on the table where another is doing his homework
Jules Trayer, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a realistic setting and mixing subtle watercolor washes to create depth and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light pencil sketch outlining the main figures, furniture, and room structure.
- step 02
Begin with a light wash of diluted raw sienna or yellow ochre over the entire paper to create a warm base tone.
- step 03
Start layering in the darker values, focusing on the shadows under the table, on the figures' clothing, and in the corners of the room.
- step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the figures' clothing, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and hue.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, hands, and other focal points, using a smaller brush and more concentrated pigments.
- step 06
Define the edges of objects and add finer details like the books and papers on the table.
- step 07
Glaze over areas to deepen shadows and unify the color palette.
- step 08
Add final highlights with a clean, damp brush to lift color and create a sense of light.
color palette
primary · raw sienna · burnt umber · Prussian blue
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · sap green
Mix browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use diluted washes for lighter tones and build up layers for darker values. Add a touch of blue to browns to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·lifting color
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
- →Creating muddy colors by mixing too many pigments together.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions and anatomy of the figures.
- →Making the values too uniform and lacking contrast.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brands and grades of paper to find what works best for you.
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