plate no. 6519

Before the Mirror

Thomas Dewing, 1910

oilTonalismgenre paintingfiguremirrordressinteriorreflectionpainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing subtle light variations. It also offers practice in rendering fabric and reflections.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mirror, and other elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, paying attention to the subtle shifts in hue and value.
step 04
Begin to develop the form of the figure, focusing on the drapery and the way light interacts with the fabric.
step 05
Work on the details of the mirror and the reflection, capturing the atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Refine the background and the other elements of the composition, ensuring they support the focal point.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall painting, paying attention to the balance of color, value, and composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of the secondary colors into the primary colors. Use white to create lighter values and black to create darker values. The overall tone is warm and muted.

techniques