plate no. 0134

A Cup of Tea

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreeswaterhammocktable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape setting and capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces. It also provides practice in rendering textures and details with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, tree, and table.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water.
step 03
Establish the values of the tree trunk and foliage, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the figures, focusing on capturing the form and drapery of the clothing.
step 05
Add details to the table setting and hammock.
step 06
Refine the brushwork and add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and adjust contrasts.

color palette

primary · titanium white · viridian green · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

Mix greens by combining viridian green and yellow ochre. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create darker shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques