plate no. 1519
Soap Bubbles
Thomas Couture, 1859
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering textures of different materials, and creating atmospheric perspective with subtle value shifts. It also provides practice in capturing a mood and telling a story through visual elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, desk, and chair.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, desk, and chair with their respective local colors.
- step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing, books, and chair using varied brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add the details of the desk, including the books, glass, and writing materials.
- step 07
Paint the bubbles, focusing on capturing their transparency and reflections.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Darken the colors with burnt umber and black. Use viridian to create the green tones in the ivy.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Inaccurately capturing the proportions of the figure.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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