plate no. 6860

Girl Playing Solitaire

Frank W. Benson, 1909

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguredresstablecardsinteriorscreen

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering fabric textures, capturing subtle light and shadow, and depicting a complex interior scene with a figure. It also offers practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, table, and background screen.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin blocking in the background with broad strokes, focusing on the color variations in the screen.
step 04
Start building up the form of the figure, paying attention to the folds and textures of the dress.
step 05
Refine the details of the face and hands, capturing the expression and gesture.
step 06
Add details to the table and objects on it, such as the cards and candlesticks.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve the subtle variations in the dress by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and ivory black. Use glazes of burnt sienna and raw umber to create depth in the shadows.

techniques

·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the dress, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the background screen.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form and depth.
→Getting lost in details too early without establishing the overall composition and values.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·ivory black oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·assorted brushes

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·medium gloss

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for both detailed work and expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the overall color harmony.

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