plate no. 6094

Laundress

Pasquale Celommi, 1902

oil, canvasRealismportraitfigureportraitlaundressclothingbuckethands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering skin tones and capturing likeness, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the bucket.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral colors.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 06
Paint the bucket and the laundry, paying attention to the reflected light and shadows.
step 07
Add the finishing touches, such as highlights and details in the hair and jewelry.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create darker shadows. Add raw sienna to warm up the highlights.

techniques