plate no. 7734
Not at Home
Eastman Johnson, 1873
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex interior spaces and capturing subtle light and shadow variations. It also provides practice in depicting figures within an environment.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the architectural structure and the placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of color, starting with the background and working forward.
- step 04
Develop the details of the furniture and architectural elements, paying attention to their textures and forms.
- step 05
Refine the figure, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
- step 06
Add details to the rug and other patterned surfaces.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · viridian
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use small amounts of red and blue to create subtle variations in color temperature.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.
- →Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·turpentine
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to speed up the painting process.
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