plate no. 1009
the Empty Chair
Luke Fildes, 1870
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures, creating depth through shading, and understanding linear perspective to accurately depict the room's structure. It also provides practice in drawing complex objects with detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and perspective of the room.
- step 02
Focus on the major elements: desks, chair, bookshelves, and window.
- step 03
Block in the darkest areas to create a foundation for the values.
- step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
- step 05
Add details to the furniture and objects on the desks.
- step 06
Render the textures of the wood, fabric, and books.
- step 07
Refine the details in the background, such as the view through the window.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · titanium white
Mix ivory black and raw umber to create a range of neutral tones. Use titanium white to lighten the values and payne's gray to deepen the shadows.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective, leading to a distorted room.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a cluttered and confusing image.
- →Ignoring the light source, creating inconsistent shadows.
- →Failing to establish a strong value range, making the painting appear flat.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various textures and details.
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