plate no. 2798

Atelier

Menez, 1987

oilExpressionisminteriorbooksinteriorfiguredoorwaytablestill life

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex overlapping forms and using color temperature to create depth and atmosphere. It will also help with understanding how to simplify details while still capturing the essence of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the books and the doorway.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background walls and floor, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin to define the shapes of the books, paying attention to their angles and overlaps.
step 04
Add the red accents to the books and the figure in the doorway.
step 05
Develop the details of the book pages and covers, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the edges of the books and the texture of the walls.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue and brown to create the wall and floor colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix red with brown to create the book cover colors.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not paying attention to the angles and overlaps of the books.
→Overworking the paint and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints: ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·mineral spirits
·rags