plate no. 1847
La Petra Camara
Theodore Chasseriau, 1854
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, capturing movement, and using loose brushwork to suggest detail. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmosphere and depth with color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figure and background elements, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: the sky, ground, dress, and figure's skin.
- step 03
Begin to define the shapes of the dress and figure, adding darker values to create form.
- step 04
Add details to the dress, such as the gold trim and ruffles, using small brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the background, adding details to the landscape and figures in the distance.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figure and dress to create a sense of light and movement.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust the composition as needed.
color palette
primary · emerald green · crimson red · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · gold ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust with browns for muted tones. Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow and brown. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
- →Muddying the colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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