plate no. 0614

The Lacemaker

Louis Valtat, 1906

oilFauvismportraitfigureportraitlacemakerinteriorchairtable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure in a domestic setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main elements.
step 02
Establish the background colors with broad, loose strokes.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the figure, using short, visible brushstrokes to define form and light.
step 05
Develop the details of the lacemaking equipment, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create darker tones for shadows. Mix viridian green with yellow ochre for the background.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not paying enough attention to the overall color harmony.
→Failing to capture the light and shadow accurately.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, raw umber, ultramarine blue, viridian green, alizarin crimson)
·assorted brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags