plate no. 8540

On April 26, 1859 in Florence

oil, canvasRealismhistory paintingfigureinteriorwindowchairfabricarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic light and shadow, as well as creating depth through atmospheric perspective and accurate proportions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, chair, window, and table.
step 02
Establish the main light source (window) and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the large shapes with thin washes of color, starting with the darkest areas.
step 04
Gradually build up the colors and values, layering paint to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the figure's clothing and the textures of the chair and table.
step 06
Refine the edges and details, using small brushes to add highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the stitching on the fabric and the reflections in the window.
step 08
Let the painting dry completely, then apply a varnish to protect the surface.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve the dark, muted tones by mixing black, umber, and small amounts of blue or red. Use white to create highlights and lighter values. Mix yellow ochre with white and a touch of red for the warm light coming through the window.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→getting the proportions wrong
→overworking the details too early
→not establishing a clear light source
→making the dark areas too flat
→using colors that are too bright or saturated

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·#2 round brush
·#6 flat brush
·palette