plate no. 7864

Le Petit Lever

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresinteriormirrortabledresshair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow on fabric and skin, as well as understanding how to depict reflections in a mirror. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes, focusing on the dark tones and subtle variations.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures, starting with the shadows and mid-tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the faces and clothing, using smaller brushstrokes and subtle color changes.
step 05
Paint the mirror and the reflection, paying close attention to the angles and distortions.
step 06
Add the details of the table and other objects, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows, adding depth and dimension to the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and burnt sienna to create the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the striped shirt. Mix ivory black and raw umber for the dark background.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Ignoring the importance of the background and its effect on the overall composition.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags