plate no. 1652
A Chávena de Chá
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating subtle value shifts to suggest form and capturing the mood of a dimly lit interior. It will also help with capturing the likeness of a person in profile.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the dark background and the figure's clothing.
- step 04
Develop the form of the face and hands, using subtle value changes.
- step 05
Add details to the tea set, capturing its metallic sheen.
- step 06
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
- step 07
Add highlights to the face, hands, and tea set.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive image.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Use burnt umber and white to create a range of neutral tones. Add small amounts of blue or yellow ochre to create subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
A toned canvas (burnt umber wash) is recommended.
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