plate no. 3821

Interior with Doorway

Richard Diebenkorn, 1962

oil, canvasExpressionisminteriorinteriordoorwaychairwindowbuildingstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and understanding how to use color temperature to create depth and atmosphere. It also emphasizes expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than photorealistic detail.

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 of the room, doorway, and chair, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the dark teal of the interior walls, the blue of the sky seen through the doorway and window, and the reddish-brown of the floor.
step 03
Refine the colors of the interior, adding subtle variations in tone and hue to create depth and interest.
step 04
Paint the view through the doorway, simplifying the buildings and street into basic shapes and colors.
step 05
Add details to the chair, using expressive brushstrokes to define its form.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of balance and harmony.
step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights on the floor and the subtle variations in the sky.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Sienna · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Cadmium Red · Viridian

Mix the dark teal interior color by combining Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, and a touch of Viridian. Vary the blue for the sky by adding white and small amounts of yellow ochre.

techniques

·Blocking in
·Color mixing
·Expressive brushwork
·Scumbling
·Layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to simplify the scene into basic shapes and colors.
→Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
→Ignoring the importance of perspective and proportion.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Viridian)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife