plate no. 6968
Baigneuses
Camille Bombois, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides an opportunity to work with a limited color palette and explore a naive art style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, dock, figures, and the overall layout of the water lilies.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, trees, water, and dock, using thin washes.
- step 03
Add the darker tones to the water and the shadows under the dock to create depth.
- step 04
Begin painting the water lilies, focusing on their shapes and distribution across the water surface.
- step 05
Paint the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement within the scene.
- step 06
Add details to the background, such as the trees, wall, and gate, using small brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adjusting the tones to create a sense of harmony.
- step 08
Add final details, such as highlights on the water lilies and figures, to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · dark green · yellow ochre · flesh tone · dark blue
secondary · light green · red · brown
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows with varying amounts of white. Achieve flesh tones by mixing reds, yellows, and whites, adjusting the proportions to create different skin tones.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·simplification of form
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the details, losing the naive style.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure, resulting in a flat image.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a lack of harmony.
- →Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on individual elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic paints (dark green, yellow ochre, flesh tone, dark blue, light green, red, brown, white)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brush (size 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
Use good quality acrylic paints for better color saturation and longevity. A palette knife can be helpful for mixing colors and applying thick layers of paint.
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