plate no. 9530

La chambre

Francis Gruber, 1935

oilExpressionisminteriorinteriorchairtablewindowstill lifebottles

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex spatial relationships and capturing the essence of objects with expressive brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the room, focusing on the placement of the chair, table, and window.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the walls, floor, and furniture using thin washes.
step 03
Define the shapes of the objects on the table and the bottles, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Add details to the chair, including the patterns on the fabric and the ornate frame.
step 05
Develop the background details seen through the window, suggesting the cityscape with simple shapes and colors.
step 06
Build up the layers of paint, adding texture and depth with visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the colors as needed to capture the overall mood of the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of blue and crimson to create muted purples and pinks for the walls and shadows. Add yellow to white for highlights.

techniques