plate no. 9778

The Barber Shop

Edward Hopper, 1931

oil, canvasSocial Realismgenre paintinginteriorfiguresbarberstairstablelight and shadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow to create depth and form, as well as how to capture the mood of a scene through color and composition. It provides practice in painting figures in an interior setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns, noting the direction and intensity of the light source.
step 04
Refine the shapes of the figures and objects, adding details as needed.
step 05
Mix and apply the local colors of the objects and figures, paying attention to subtle variations in hue and value.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and depth.
step 07
Refine the details and edges, softening or sharpening them as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian

Mix various shades of gray and beige for the walls and floor by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue or yellow. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber or blue.

techniques