plate no. 8713

In the Coulisses

oilImpressionismgenre paintingballerinasfiguresbackstagecurtainstheatrelight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment and capturing the texture of fabric with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main shapes of the curtains.
step 02
Establish the dark background and the overall value structure of the painting.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the curtains, using a limited palette of blues, grays, and whites.
step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the ballerinas' dresses. Use thin washes of white and gray to create the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the figures, such as their hair, faces, and hands. Pay attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 06
Paint the figure in the foreground with the dark cloak, focusing on the vertical brushstrokes to create the texture of the fabric.
step 07
Add the red accent color on the figure to the right.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix shades of blue and white for the curtains, adding raw umber for darker areas. Use white with small amounts of raw umber and red for the ballerinas' dresses. Mix cadmium red with a touch of raw umber for the red figure.

techniques

·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Failing to create a strong sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using too much color and creating a painting that is too bright.
→Not paying enough attention to the values and creating a painting that is flat.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints: ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, cadmium red, viridian green
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife