plate no. 3242

The Camden Town Murder, or What Shall We Do For the Rent?

Walter Sickert, 1909

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfigureinteriorbedmandomesticclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, creating form with value, and capturing a sense of atmosphere. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition using a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the figure using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
step 04
Define the shadows and highlights on the figure to create form and volume.
step 05
Paint the bedclothes with loose, expressive brushstrokes, using white and gray tones.
step 06
Add the details of the man's clothing, focusing on the contrast between the dark vest and the white shirt.
step 07
Refine the facial features and hands, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create shadows and darker tones. Muted grays can be achieved by mixing white, black, and a touch of umber.

techniques