plate no. 9677

The spinner

Elin Danielson-Gambogi, 1919

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfigureinteriorspinning wheelchairtextilesbasket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting realistic figures in an interior setting, focusing on accurate proportions and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering textures of different materials, like wood, fabric, and yarn.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the figure, spinning wheel, and other objects.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Start developing the figure's form by adding mid-tones and shadows, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin defining the details of the spinning wheel, basket, and other objects, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Refine the colors and values, blending edges where necessary and adding highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add details to the face, hands, and clothing, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Work on the background details, such as the curtains and wall, to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the focal point is clear and the painting is balanced.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazing techniques to build up depth and richness in the shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels