plate no. 3873
The Miniature
Robert Lewis Reid, 1912
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with broken color, and in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through loose brushwork. It's also good practice for rendering fabric and reflections.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the figure, table, and mirror.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
- step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using broken color to create texture and depth.
- step 04
Focus on the figure's dress, using short, directional brushstrokes to suggest the folds and drapery.
- step 05
Paint the details of the table and mirror, paying attention to the reflections and highlights.
- step 06
Add the background details, such as the curtains and wall, using loose brushwork and subtle color variations.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
secondary · alizarin crimson · violet · burnt umber
Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to create tints and dilute colors for washes.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·scumbling
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using too much paint
- →Ignoring the light source
- →Creating muddy colors
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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