plate no. 8838

Before the ball

oil, panelRomanticismgenre paintingfigurescandlelightinteriortabledressjewelry

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to depict light emanating from a single source. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and skin tones under low light conditions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a dark, neutral color like burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and objects, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin to build up the highlights around the candlelight, using lighter tones of yellow and white.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, using subtle color variations to create form.
step 06
Add the details of the jewelry and other small objects on the table.
step 07
Glaze over the dark areas to deepen the shadows and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber and white for the skin tones and clothing. Use small amounts of cadmium red and viridian green to create subtle color variations in the shadows and highlights.

techniques