plate no. 4419

The toilet

Raimundo de Madrazo, 1900

oil, canvasAcademicismgenre paintingfiguresinteriordressmirrorfurnituremaid

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering fabric textures, capturing realistic skin tones, and understanding complex figure compositions. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow on various surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin to develop the values and forms of the figures, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Work on the details of the dresses, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Develop the background elements, such as the mirror and the screen, adding details as needed.
step 06
Refine the skin tones and facial features of the figures.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of other colors to achieve the subtle tones of the dresses. Use a combination of reds, yellows, and browns to create realistic skin tones. Mix blues and browns for the background and shadows.

techniques