apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Laundresses
Laundresses by Antonio Donghi

plate no. 5713

Laundresses

Antonio Donghi

oilMagic Realismgenre paintingfigureslaundryclothingarchitecturedomestic scenebasket
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, understanding of light and shadow on simple forms, and mixing muted color palettes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and space through careful observation of proportions and relationships between objects.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figures, laundry, and background.

  2. step 02

    Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the architectural elements.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main color areas for the figures, clothing, and background, focusing on accurate value relationships.

  4. step 04

    Refine the shapes and forms of the figures, paying attention to anatomical details and drapery folds.

  5. step 05

    Develop the lighting and shadows, creating a sense of depth and volume.

  6. step 06

    Add details such as the facial features, hair, and texture of the laundry.

  7. step 07

    Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious and realistic effect.

  8. step 08

    Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and white for the skin tones, adjusting the ratio for highlights and shadows. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue clothing, adding a touch of burnt umber to mute the color. Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna for the skirt.

techniques

  • ·figure drawing
  • ·value studies
  • ·color mixing
  • ·blending
  • ·layering

common pitfalls

  • →Inaccurate proportions of the figures.
  • →Overly bright or saturated colors.
  • →Lack of attention to value relationships.
  • →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·raw sienna oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Birth of the Earth

Birth of the Earth

Nina Tokhtaman Valetova

Soundscape

Soundscape

Abdul Mati Klarwein

Le poisson choa

Le poisson choa

Nicolae Maniu

Hidden Pasture

Hidden Pasture

Eyvind Earle

Pacific

Pacific

Alex Colville

Poet With Flower

Poet With Flower

Stefan Caltia

Canzone

Canzone

Antonio Donghi

Sphinx

Sphinx

Nicolae Maniu