plate no. 3278

The Laundrette

Louay Kayyali, 1971

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurewomanlaundrybowlinteriorclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice figure drawing, color mixing with a limited palette, and creating a sense of form through subtle value changes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, bowl, and background.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the figure, background, and bowl using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the values on the figure, focusing on the light and shadow areas to define the form.
step 04
Mix the skin tone using a base of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, adjusting with small amounts of red or blue as needed.
step 05
Add details to the face, hands, and feet, paying attention to the subtle changes in value and color.
step 06
Refine the bowl and the white cloth, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the dark outlines to define the shapes and forms.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber

The skin tone is primarily achieved through mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white. Small amounts of blue or red can be added to adjust the warmth or coolness of the tone. The background is a mix of blue and raw umber with white.

techniques

·color mixing
·value study
·figure drawing
·blending
·outlining

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the subtle value changes.
→Not simplifying the forms enough and getting bogged down in details too early.
→Incorrect proportions in the figure drawing.
→Uneven color mixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brush (size 8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)