plate no. 8358
The Love Letter
Jacob Ochtervelt, 1670
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing the subtle folds and highlights of draped fabric. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through careful value control.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure and light source.
- step 03
Develop the skin tones of the figures, using thin layers of paint and careful blending.
- step 04
Render the drapery of the dresses and carpet, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, hair, and hands of the figures.
- step 06
Paint the background, gradually building up the dark tones and creating a sense of depth.
- step 07
Refine the details of the objects in the scene, such as the chair, table, and dog.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create the dark background by layering ivory black and raw umber.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·underpainting
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Making the skin tones look flat or unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the value structure.
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