plate no. 6655

Rainy Day

Frank W. Benson, 1906

oilImpressionismgenre paintinginteriorfigurechairfireplaceroomrug

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations. It also offers practice in capturing the texture of different materials like fabric and wood.

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: the room's structure, the figure, and key objects.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the values (light and dark).
step 04
Develop the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the light on her face.
step 05
Add details to the room, such as the fireplace, the rug, and the objects on the mantelpiece.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, blending and layering as needed.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust the color harmony.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre to create warm highlights and subtle variations in the wood tones.

techniques