plate no. 5372

After Bath

Ipolit Strambu, 1918

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorclothingboxfabriccarpet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in loose, impressionistic brushstrokes and understanding how to create depth and form with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and textures using broken color techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and the box, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and red.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for each figure and the box, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin adding layers of color to define the forms and create highlights and shadows.
step 05
Use broken color techniques to depict the fabric and textures of the clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a harmonious effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red · viridian

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create dark shadows. Mix viridian with yellow ochre for the green clothing.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Incorrect proportions of the figures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, viridian, titanium white, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags