plate no. 9334

Interior with Ida Playing the Piano

Vilhelm Hammershøi, 1910

oilImpressionisminteriorinteriorpianofiguretabledoorwayroom

some experience helpful

This painting is excellent for practicing subtle value shifts and creating atmospheric perspective. Recreating it will help students understand how to suggest detail through careful color mixing and soft edges.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines, paying attention to the placement of the table and doorways.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the large areas of light and shadow with thinned paint.
step 03
Mix a range of neutral grays and browns, focusing on subtle temperature variations.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the table, doors, and figure, using soft blending techniques.
step 05
Carefully render the light falling on the walls and floor, paying attention to reflected light.
step 06
Add the small details like the plate on the table and the picture on the wall.
step 07
Soften edges where appropriate to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Achieve the subtle grays by mixing black and white with small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt umber to adjust the temperature. Use thin glazes to build up color depth.

techniques