plate no. 6272
La femme peintre
Pierre Roy, 1931
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to render realistic light and shadow, as well as how to create a sense of depth and space using perspective and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the room and the placement of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and the floor.
- step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns, focusing on the strong light source from the window.
- step 04
Refine the details of the figure, including the face, clothing, and hands.
- step 05
Add details to the easel and the painting on the easel.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall effect.
- step 08
Let it dry and add a varnish coat.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · sap green · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray for the walls by combining white, raw umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve the floor color by mixing burnt sienna with raw umber and a touch of white. The blue dress is a mix of ultramarine blue and white, with subtle variations in value.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective can ruin the sense of space.
- →Overblending can make the painting look flat and lifeless.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes can make the painting look unrealistic.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong will be very noticeable.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·soft cloth
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium such as linseed oil can help with blending and glazing.
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