plate no. 1581

The Breakfast Room

Edmund Charles Tarbell, 1903

oilImpressionismgenre paintinginteriorfigurestablefruitroompaintings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing soft light, rendering figures in an interior setting, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting reflective surfaces and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures, furniture, and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.
step 03
Block in the major shapes and forms, such as the figures, table, and walls, using broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures, including facial features, clothing, and hair, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Render the still life elements on the table, such as the fruit, glassware, and dishes, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 06
Refine the background details, including the paintings on the wall, the open doorway, and the window.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to adjust the colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the subtle variations in skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the atmospheric perspective by adding a touch of blue to the background colors.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering reflective surfaces

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to establish a strong value structure
→Ignoring the subtle color variations
→Creating harsh lines and edges

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes
·palette knife

optional

·medium gloss
·painting easel
·mahl stick
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for both broad brushstrokes and finer details. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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