plate no. 7809
Young Woman in the Atelier
Janos Tornyai, 1904
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in an interior setting and understanding how light and shadow create form and depth. It also provides practice in capturing textures with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and key objects.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the major color areas: the figure's clothing, the walls, and the furniture.
- step 04
Develop the figure's form, paying attention to the light and shadow on her face and clothing.
- step 05
Add details to the background objects, such as the table, mirror, and other items in the room.
- step 06
Refine the brushwork, using visible strokes to create texture and 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 · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Use Prussian blue to create cooler grays and blues for the figure's skirt. Add small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre to warm up the browns and create highlights.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overblending colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
- →Ignoring the value structure and focusing only on color.
- →Getting lost in the details and losing sight of the overall composition.
- →Not varying brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#6 round brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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