plate no. 6600

Dawn

Laura Knight, 1933

oilImpressionismnude painting (nu)figuresnudesskyportraitwomen

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, portraiture, and subtle color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful observation of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figures, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of blue paint, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones for each figure, using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Begin to build up the form of the figures by adding layers of paint, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone, especially around the face and neck.
step 06
Refine the details of the hair and facial features.
step 07
Add the drapery, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of red, umber, and yellow ochre. Use blue to cool down the tones in shadow areas. The background is primarily blue, lightened with white and subtly varied with touches of umber.

techniques