plate no. 3545

The Violet Kimono

Robert Lewis Reid, 1911

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguremirrorflowersinteriordressreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly achieving subtle variations in violet and lavender, and in capturing the soft, diffused light characteristic of Impressionism. It also provides practice in rendering reflections and fabric folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mirror, and table.
step 02
Establish the main light source and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, such as the kimono, curtains, and background, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the subtle variations in violet and lavender.
step 05
Add details to the face and hands, using small brushstrokes to capture the delicate features.
step 06
Paint the flowers and foliage, using a variety of greens and purples to create a sense of texture.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the mirror, paying attention to the distortions and color shifts.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · lavender · violet · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · raw umber · cerulean blue

Mix various shades of violet by combining red, blue, and white. Use yellow ochre to warm the violets and create a sense of light. Add small amounts of green to neutralize the purples and create a more naturalistic effect.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·wet-on-wet blending
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in violet and lavender.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow on the forms.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (lavender, violet, yellow ochre, titanium white, sap green, raw umber, cerulean blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags