plate no. 4631

Laundresses

oil, panelRealismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesskyclothingfield

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice figure painting within a landscape and to develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective using a limited color palette. Students can also learn to suggest detail through loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the sky with warm yellows and oranges.
step 03
Paint the landscape in the background, using cooler tones to suggest distance.
step 04
Begin to define the figures with dark browns and umbers, paying attention to the folds of their clothing.
step 05
Add highlights to the figures and landscape where the light is hitting.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures' faces and hands.
step 07
Add the details of the trees and branches.
step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Mix burnt umber and yellow ochre for the figures and landscape. Add ultramarine blue to burnt umber to create cooler shadows. Use titanium white sparingly to create highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·limited palette
·figure drawing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the loose, painterly quality.
→Using too much white, making the colors appear chalky.
→Not establishing a clear value structure, resulting in a flat image.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the landscape.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for the dry brushing technique. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before beginning.

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