plate no. 7134

Preparing for sunday

watercolor, gouache, paperNaturalismgenre paintinginteriorfigurewindowfurnitureroomdress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering light and shadow in an interior space and capturing the texture of different materials using watercolor and gouache.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted warm colors (yellow ochre, raw sienna) to establish the base tones of the room.
step 03
Layer in darker values to define the shadows and forms of the furniture and figure.
step 04
Paint the window and the light coming through it, using cooler tones.
step 05
Add details to the figure's dress and face, using small brushes and careful layering.
step 06
Render the textures of the furniture and walls with dry brush techniques and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add highlights with white gouache to create a sense of depth and luminosity.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · titanium white · payne's gray

Mix various shades of browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use white gouache to create highlights and lighten colors. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine with a touch of white.

techniques