plate no. 1115

The Bed, the Chair, the Sitter

Eric Fischl, 1999

oilContemporary Realismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorchairsbedroomshadowsfurniture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in complex lighting and understanding how light and shadow define form. It also provides practice in rendering textures and patterns on furniture.

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 and figures, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest shadows and lightest highlights.
step 03
Begin refining the figures, focusing on accurate skin tones and facial features.
step 04
Develop the background and furniture, paying attention to the patterns and textures.
step 05
Gradually build up layers of color, blending and glazing to achieve smooth transitions.
step 06
Refine the details, such as the patterns on the chairs and the highlights on the figures.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm highlights on the figures and furniture. Add small amounts of cadmium red light to create subtle variations in skin tones and patterns.

techniques