plate no. 2038
After the Bath
Károly Lotz, 1880
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering skin tones, and creating soft, atmospheric effects with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in depicting drapery and suggesting form through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Add details to the faces and hands, focusing on capturing the expressions and gestures.
- step 05
Render the drapery, using loose brushstrokes to suggest the folds and textures.
- step 06
Paint the background foliage and architectural elements, using a limited palette of greens and browns.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · sap green
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use raw umber and white for shadows and architectural elements. Mix greens from sap green and yellow ochre, adding blue for cooler tones.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the soft, atmospheric effect.
- →Struggling with accurate proportions and anatomy of the figures.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
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