plate no. 8167
Girl Reading in a Sunlit Room
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to capture the effects of light and shadow, and how to suggest form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle color variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and furniture.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the figure, chair, and window frame.
- step 04
Begin to build up the layers of paint, using broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the way the light interacts with the curtains and the figure's dress.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, keeping the brushwork loose and expressive.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · sap green
Achieve the subtle variations in light and shadow by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and sap green sparingly to create cool shadows and subtle color shifts.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring the importance of the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes size 2, 4, 6
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a high-quality canvas and artist-grade oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and speed up drying time.
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