plate no. 4958
The Reading Light
Georg Pauli, 1884
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow, as well as creating a sense of atmosphere through loose brushwork and subtle color variations. It's a great exercise in painting a figure in a relaxed, domestic setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, lamp, and book.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral colors.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure and bedding.
- step 04
Develop the background with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add details to the lamp and book, paying attention to the way light interacts with these objects.
- step 06
Refine the facial features and hands, using subtle color variations to create form.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · sap green
Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, umber, and small amounts of red and yellow. Create the dark background by mixing umber and black, with hints of green.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- →Making the colors too saturated and bright.
- →Losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting.
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