plate no. 6280
La Toilette
Henri Gervex, 1879
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on fabric, as well as capturing the atmosphere of an interior scene using impressionistic brushstrokes. It also provides practice in rendering the human figure in a relaxed pose.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and key objects.
- step 02
Establish the background colors, starting with the blue wall and curtains.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and the dress, using a light underpainting.
- step 04
Develop the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 05
Add the details of the furniture, mirror, and flowers.
- step 06
Refine the figure's features and hair, using subtle color variations.
- step 07
Add final touches to the background and foreground, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and add depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · raw umber
Mix white with small amounts of blue and sienna to create the various shades of white in the dress. Use blue and sienna to create the neutral tones for the floor and furniture. Add crimson to sienna for the hair.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·impressionistic brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the white dress.
- →Failing to capture the soft, diffused light of the interior.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·raw umber oil paint
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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