plate no. 5238

The Fortune Teller

Thomas Dewing, 1905

oil, panelTonalismgenre paintingfigurestableinteriorflowersdresscards

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective through subtle value shifts and blending, as well as capturing the nuances of fabric and skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a warm-toned ground.
step 02
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
step 03
Establish the main value structure with thin washes of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 04
Begin layering in the darker values of the dresses and the table, gradually building up the forms.
step 05
Introduce the lighter values in the skin tones and the background, blending carefully to create soft transitions.
step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and clothing, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Paint the flowers and cards on the table, using small brushes to capture the delicate details.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of black or green. Use white to lighten the values and create subtle highlights.

techniques