plate no. 6803

The Toilet

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresdressesinteriormirrortablechair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering fabric textures, capturing subtle light variations, and painting figures in an atmospheric setting. It's also a good exercise in creating a sense of depth through tonal values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and furniture.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the dresses, focusing on the overall form.
step 04
Start building up the values and details in the figures' faces and hands.
step 05
Add highlights to the dresses to create a sense of volume and light.
step 06
Work on the details of the furniture, including the table, mirror, and chairs.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · rose madder · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian · ultramarine blue

Achieve the dress colors by mixing white with small amounts of rose madder and raw umber. Use raw umber and ivory black for the dark background, adding small amounts of blue or green for variation.

techniques