plate no. 0920

Leisure Hours

John William Godward, 1905

oil, canvasNeoclassicismgenre paintingfiguredressarchitectureseaflowerslandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic drapery and flesh tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscape painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch, focusing on accurate proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, starting with the background and working forward.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the figure and drapery.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, hands, and clothing folds.
step 05
Refine the background elements, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add details to the marble balustrade and the surrounding objects.
step 07
Glaze and adjust colors to achieve the desired depth and luminosity.
step 08
Add final highlights and details.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Achieve the subtle variations in the dress by mixing yellow ochre with raw umber and white. Use alizarin crimson and white for the skin tones, and ultramarine blue and white for the sky and sea.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·drapery rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Flat or lifeless drapery
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective in the background

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette

optional