plate no. 2471

An Afternoon Rest

oilAcademicismnude painting (nu)figurelandscapetreesflowersbenchsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, blending techniques for skin tones, and creating atmospheric perspective in landscapes. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and floral details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of key elements like the bench and landscape.
step 02
Establish the background landscape with thin washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on proportions and anatomical accuracy.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, using subtle gradations of color to create form and volume.
step 05
Paint the drapery, paying attention to the way it folds and drapes over the figure.
step 06
Add details to the bench and surrounding foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the figure's features and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · purple

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create muted greens for the foliage. Mix alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue for the purple drapery.

techniques