plate no. 2263

Edward Bawden Working in His Studio

Eric Ravilious, 1930

oilMagic Realismportraitartiststudiointeriorportraitsrolls of papercurtains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic light and shadow, as well as creating a sense of depth and perspective in an interior space. It also provides practice in depicting various textures, such as fabric, paper, and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the room and the placement of the main objects.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background walls and floor.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes of the objects, such as the rolls of paper, the artist, and the furniture.
step 04
Add details to the objects, such as the folds in the curtains, the features of the artist, and the patterns on the rug.
step 05
Work on the lighting and shadows, using subtle gradations of color to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Pay close attention to the edges of the objects, softening them where necessary to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix ochre with burnt umber and white for the walls. Use cadmium yellow and white for the curtains. Mix ultramarine blue with white for the artist's shirt. Use raw sienna and burnt umber for the floor and furniture.

techniques