plate no. 4360

Boris Anrep in his Studio, 65 Boulevard Arago

Pierre Roy, 1949

oilMagic Realisminteriorbustinteriortabledoorwaypaintingsstill life

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, particularly in rendering the receding planes of the room and the objects within it. It also provides practice in creating a muted color palette and capturing subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and perspective lines.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms with thin washes of color, focusing on the large areas of tone.
step 03
Develop the background wall and the various paintings, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Refine the bust, gradually building up the form with layers of highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the table and the objects on it, focusing on accurate proportions and textures.
step 06
Work on the doorway and the view into the next room, creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of the painting, making sure that the values and colors are harmonious.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of the secondary colors. Use white to lighten the values and black to darken them. The green wall is a mix of raw umber, ivory black, and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·linear perspective
·chiaroscuro
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective, leading to a distorted sense of space.
→Overworking the details too early, before establishing the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, disrupting the muted atmosphere.
→Failing to capture the subtle tonal variations, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.