plate no. 8513

After Luncheon

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitgardenwindowstill lifeflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for subtle variations, and capturing light and atmosphere. It also provides practice in depicting figures in an impressionistic style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and still life elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint with loose, visible brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 04
Mix colors on the palette to achieve the subtle variations in hue and value, using a limited palette.
step 05
Develop the details of the figure's face and clothing, using small, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the still life elements, such as the pitcher, fruit, and flowers.
step 07
Refine the background and surrounding areas, paying attention to the interplay of light and color.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve the purples and violets by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson with varying amounts of white. Greens are created by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and adjusting with white or viridian.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·alla prima
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much detail and not capturing the impressionistic feel.
→Failing to mix colors effectively and ending up with a muddy palette.
→Not paying attention to the overall value structure and creating a flat or unconvincing image.