plate no. 9761

In the Living Room

oil, canvasImpressionisminteriorfigureinteriorwindowdressfurnitureroom

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow within an interior scene and practice painting figures in a loose, impressionistic style. Students will also learn to simplify complex details and focus on the overall impression of the scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and major elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns, paying attention to the light source from the window.
step 04
Develop the details of the figure, focusing on the folds of the dress and the overall form.
step 05
Add details to the furniture and other objects in the room, keeping the brushstrokes loose and expressive.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adjusting them as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix white with small amounts of black and yellow ochre to create the various shades of white in the dress and curtains. Use burnt umber and viridian to create the dark tones in the furniture and shadows.

techniques