plate no. 1753

Washing Day

Augustus John, 1915

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigurelaundrytreesbowlbricksclothing

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape and capturing the effects of light on fabric. Students can develop their skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and create a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, bowl, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the figure's clothing, the trees, the ground, and the washing bowl.
step 03
Develop the values within each color area, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the features of the face.
step 05
Add the details of the bricks and the laundry hanging in the background.
step 06
Blend the edges of the brushstrokes to create a softer, more painterly effect.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Check for overall balance and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre

Mix white with primary colors to create lighter tints. Use raw umber to create shadows and muted tones. Mix red and yellow to achieve the coral color of the jacket.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·blending
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the painterly quality.
→Creating colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: cerulean blue, cadmium red, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white
·Round brushes (#2, #6)
·Flat brushes (#4, #8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife