plate no. 6237
Laundress
Oleksandr Murashko, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to capture light and shadow using color temperature and broken color techniques. It also provides practice in painting figures in an environment.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the tub, and the background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns using warm and cool colors.
- step 04
Begin refining the figure's features and clothing, paying attention to the folds and creases.
- step 05
Add details to the tub and background, maintaining the loose, impressionistic style.
- step 06
Use broken color techniques to create visual interest and texture.
- step 07
Refine edges and add highlights to create a sense of depth.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium orange · ultramarine blue
secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber
Mix various shades of orange and yellow by combining cadmium orange, yellow ochre, and white. Create cooler tones by adding ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to the warm colors. Use viridian green to neutralize the reds and oranges.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature
- ·alla prima
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing on the palette.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in defining form.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium orange, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, viridian green, raw umber)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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