plate no. 1804

Thé de l’après-midi

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureinteriorflowerstabletea setportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing the nuances of light and shadow in an interior scene and practice painting textures with visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify complex details while maintaining a sense of realism.

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, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and working forward.
step 03
Establish the main light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Develop the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the facial features.
step 05
Add details to the flowers and other objects on the tables, focusing on their textures and colors.
step 06
Refine the brushwork, using short, broken strokes to create a sense of movement and light.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · viridian · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Mix greens by combining viridian with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Achieve the skin tones by mixing alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ivory black sparingly to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques