plate no. 0574
In the Dining Room
Berthe Morisot, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations to create depth and atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and major objects.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of color with thin washes.
- step 03
Begin to build up the values and details, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
- step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow on the figure and objects, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- step 05
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 06
Add the background elements, keeping them soft and blurred to maintain focus on the figure.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to create a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · sap green
Mix various shades of gray and blue by combining white, black, and ultramarine blue. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warm browns and earth tones. Add touches of cadmium red to create subtle highlights and shadows on the figure's face and hands.
techniques
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the figure.
- →Not capturing the subtle color variations in the light and shadow.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing the paints.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, ivory black, sap green)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes and shapes to achieve the desired effect.
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