plate no. 4798
L'Atelier de Diebold Lauber
Léo Schnug, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering clothing folds, and creating a sense of depth through layering and value variations. It also offers practice in depicting intricate details and patterns.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and their relative positions, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for each figure and the background, using diluted washes.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to define the forms and create shadows, focusing on the clothing folds and facial features.
- step 04
Refine the details of the books, including the text and illustrations, using smaller brushes.
- step 05
Add highlights to create a sense of light and volume, particularly on the faces and clothing.
- step 06
Work on the background details, such as the architectural elements and other figures, maintaining a muted color palette.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive composition.
- step 08
Outline with a fine brush to define the shapes and add definition.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the warm brown tones of the clothing and books. Use white to lighten these colors for highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and black for the darker clothing.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·rendering folds
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Muddying the colors by over-mixing
- →Ignoring the light source and creating inconsistent shadows
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to create a warmer base.
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