plate no. 8019

Reflections

Robert Lewis Reid, 1911

oilImpressionismportraitfiguremirrorfruitinteriorreflectionflowers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork, color mixing for subtle skin tones, and creating depth through layering and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, mirror, and surrounding objects.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering short, broken brushstrokes to build up texture and form.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the figure and objects.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of skin tones using yellows, oranges, and purples.
step 06
Add details to the mirror frame and other decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the composition by adjusting colors and values.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · burnt sienna

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, titanium white, and small amounts of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue. Use varying proportions to create highlights and shadows.

techniques