plate no. 8768
Washday
Robert Spencer, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will allow students to practice capturing light and shadow with broken color and learn to suggest form through visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to study figure painting in a casual, everyday setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and figures.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the larger areas of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Develop the figures, paying attention to their proportions and gestures.
- step 05
Add details to the architecture and laundry baskets.
- step 06
Refine the brushwork, using short, broken strokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · viridian
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light
Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in the figures' clothing and the building's walls. Use viridian and yellow ochre for the green shutters.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Neglecting the importance of the background and surrounding environment.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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