plate no. 4431

A Couple at the table

Oleg Holosiy, 1992

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurestablewine bottlesbarinteriorglasses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in limited palette painting and capturing atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a thin wash of dark gray or black.
step 03
Begin layering in lighter values, gradually building up the forms of the figures and objects.
step 04
Pay close attention to the light sources and how they affect the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and add interest to the painting.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, using subtle value changes to create depth.
step 07
Add the reflections on the table and glasses, using a light, broken brushstroke.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · raw umber

Mix varying shades of gray by combining black and white. Add small amounts of raw umber or payne's gray to create subtle variations in tone.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·value studies
·atmospheric perspective
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the painting.
→Creating too much contrast and losing the subtle gradations of value.
→Ignoring the light source and creating inconsistent shadows.
→Not establishing a strong composition before beginning to paint.