plate no. 3608

Lady at the Tea Table

Lilla Cabot Perry, 1905

oilImpressionismgenre paintingwomandogtableinteriordresstea set

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice soft blending techniques and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow to create a sense of depth and form. It also provides an opportunity to study and paint fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, dog, and table.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and larger shapes.
step 03
Begin to refine the values and colors in the figure's face and dress, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 04
Add details to the dog's fur, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the details of the tea set and tablecloth, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 07
Let it dry and add a varnish.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · cerulean blue

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and alizarin crimson to create the pale skin tones. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the dog's fur, and mix white with viridian green and cerulean blue for the background and tablecloth.

techniques