plate no. 8015

The Opening of the Modern Foreign and Sargent Galleries at the Tate Gallery, 26 June 1926

John Lavery, 1926

oilImpressionismhistory paintingfiguresinteriorpaintingsarchitecturegalleryevent

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in space, understanding atmospheric perspective, and capturing the nuances of light within an interior setting. It also provides practice in rendering textures and details with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color, focusing on the dominant red of the walls and the darker tones of the figures.
step 03
Develop the background paintings, using simplified shapes and colors to suggest depth.
step 04
Refine the figures, paying attention to their poses and the fall of light on their forms.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the doorway and the frames of the paintings.
step 06
Introduce highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Use small brushstrokes to add texture and detail to the clothing and faces of the figures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the various shades of red by mixing red ochre with varying amounts of ivory black and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to create cooler shadows and to mix with yellow ochre for muted greens.

techniques