plate no. 9006

The Drawing Lesson

canvas, oilBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriorpaintingdogtablestatue

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit interior and capturing the textures of different materials like fabric and fur. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and objects, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the overall dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figures, table, and other objects.
step 04
Begin building up the light and shadow on the figures, focusing on the areas of highest contrast.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and clothing, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the details of the table covering, statue, and dog.
step 07
Glaze over the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and deepen the shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · red ochre · yellow ochre

Achieve the subtle variations in skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use red ochre and yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones and fabrics. Mix ivory black with burnt umber to create deep shadows.

techniques