plate no. 3903

Sunlit Interior

oilExpressionisminteriorinteriorwindowfurniturelightplantsshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow in an interior space and how to create a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective and color temperature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the window, furniture, and major light/shadow areas.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the room, paying attention to the subtle color variations in the shadows.
step 04
Paint the window and the light streaming through it, using lighter and warmer colors.
step 05
Add details to the furniture, plants, and other objects in the room, refining the shapes and values.
step 06
Work on the details of the rug, using small brushstrokes to create the pattern.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, white, and small amounts of other colors. Use yellow ochre and white to create the warm light streaming through the window. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to darken shadows.

techniques