plate no. 9536

Interior with Book

Richard Diebenkorn, 1959

oil, canvasExpressionisminteriorinteriorwindowtablebookchairlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and atmosphere. It also encourages expressive brushwork and understanding of color relationships within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the window frame, the table, the chair, and the landscape outside.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the blue of the sky and interior walls, the green and yellow of the landscape, and the grey of the table.
step 03
Start adding details to the landscape, using horizontal strokes to suggest fields and hills.
step 04
Define the chair and book with darker values, paying attention to the shapes and angles.
step 05
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Add visible brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 07
Pay attention to the edges of shapes, varying the sharpness and softness to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, or shapes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · sap green

Mix blues with white to create the various shades of blue in the interior. Use yellow ochre and sap green to create the greens of the landscape. Add burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·broken color
·scumbling
·simplified shapes
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to simplify the scene into basic shapes.
→Ignoring the importance of color temperature in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, sap green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·rags