plate no. 0232

The Vestibule at Saint Jacut de la mer

Edouard Vuillard, 1909

pastelPost-Impressionisminteriorinteriorfiguresdoorwaylandscapewallpaperroom

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the perspective of the hallway.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by laying down broad strokes of the dominant colors (browns, greens, yellows).
step 03
Build up the background details, such as the wallpaper pattern and the landscape visible through the doorway.
step 04
Add the figures, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.
step 05
Refine the details, such as the shadows, highlights, and textures of the various surfaces.
step 06
Use hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Soften edges by blending colors with your fingers or a blending stump.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of atmosphere and light.

color palette

primary · ochre · olive green · burnt umber

secondary · sky blue · yellow ochre · white

Mix browns and greens to create the muted tones of the interior. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Layer colors to achieve depth and complexity.

techniques