plate no. 5034

Three Girls Reading

Edmund Charles Tarbell, 1907

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorlightwindowsfurniturereading

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing soft light and shadow, as well as creating a sense of atmosphere and depth through subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a relaxed, natural setting.

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, focusing on the placement of the figures and furniture.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering in the local colors, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 04
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values in the scene.
step 05
Develop the details of the figures and furniture, using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Refine the edges and blend the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to soften the intensity. Use thin glazes to build up color and create subtle variations.

techniques