plate no. 1285
Zwei Damen
Jules Bastien-Lepage, 1884
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in loose, expressive brushstrokes and understanding how to suggest form with minimal detail. It also provides practice in mixing muted, natural color palettes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and main elements.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color harmony.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Develop the forms of the figures with more defined brushstrokes, suggesting details without overworking.
- step 05
Add subtle color variations to the figures' clothing and skin tones.
- step 06
Refine the background details, such as the trees and foliage, using loose, expressive brushwork.
- step 07
Add highlights and accents to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of secondary colors. Use raw umber and ivory black to create a range of grays and browns.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Neglecting the importance of edges and transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, sap green, ultramarine blue)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth or slightly textured surface. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting.
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