The Lacemaker

The Lacemaker: Vermeer Reproduction

I appreciate your interest in reproducing “The Lacemaker” by Johannes Vermeer. This iconic painting offers an excellent opportunity to explore Vermeer’s technique and style. Here are some suggestions to guide you through the process:

1. Study the original: Familiarize yourself with the details of the painting, including the composition, color palette, and lighting1.

2. Prepare your materials: I used high-quality oil paints and a 16 x 20-inch canvas to match the original dimensions.

3. Start with an oil painting sketch: Begin by lightly outlining the main elements of the composition, focusing on the lacemaker’s pose and the objects around her. When used properly, a grid-based system with a proportional divider aids significantly in the professional transfer of images to canvas.

4. Layer your colors: Build the painting gradually, starting with base colors and adding details. Pay attention to the yellow jacket and the contrasting red and white threads.

5. Focus on the depth of field: Vermeer used a technique similar to a camera obscura effect. The foreground objects, especially the threads, should appear slightly blurred, while the lacemaker herself should be in sharp focus.

6. Capture the light: Pay attention to how light illuminates the subject’s forehead and fingers, emphasizing the precision of her work.

7. Add fine details: Once the main elements are in place, focus on intricate details like the lace collar and the subject’s hairstyle.

8. Step back and assess: Regularly view your work from a distance to ensure you capture the original’s overall mood and composition.

Remember, reproducing a masterpiece takes time and patience. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t match the original exactly. The process of studying and recreating Vermeer’s work can be a valuable learning experience in itself.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Creating working Images in Photoshop
• How To Paint With A Limited Palette Like A Pro
• Get Accurate Colors With The Color Checker!.
• Build a Color Checker for under $10.00.

Material List

Materials List for Oil Painting Reproduction:

The canvas has been coated with gesso, rotating horizontally and vertically, and sanded smoothly between each coat. As a result, I painted the canvas about two times to create a working surface supporting this reproduction type.

Tools:

• Proportional Divider–Purchase a Proportional Divider from Amazon for $9.99 Today.
• Color Checker
• Glass Palette
• Palette Knife
• Ruler
• Red or Black Pastel pencil for gridlines

Canvas For Reproduction:

16  X 20-inch prepared canvas

Oil Paints:

All reproductions use a minimal palette of six colors:

• Cadmium Yellow
• French Ultramarine
• Burnt Umber
• Titanium White
• Vermillion Hue
• Ivory Black

Glazing Mixture:

• Pure Refined Linseed Oil for mixing and thinning
• Windsor Newton Glazing and Blending Medium for glazing and thinning for details

Sketching With Paint:

Gamblin Gamsol is a solvent artists use to clean their brushes and thin down brown paint for the initial sketch on canvas. Remember not to use Gamsol or any other cleaning solvent for anything other than sketching. For example, George Werbacher uses brown paint thinned with Gamsol when needed for the initial oil painting sketch. In addition, George uses linseed oil only when prepping oil paints for use in all his reproductions and originals.

 

Demonstration Videos: