plate no. 0171

A trompe l'oeil of an open glazed cupboard door, with numerous papers and objects

oilBaroquestill lifecupboardletterscoinsfeatherstill lifewood

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures, creating depth through layering, and understanding trompe l'oeil techniques. It also provides practice in depicting various materials like paper, wood, and metal.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to the perspective of the cupboard door.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values of the cupboard, letters, and other objects.
step 03
Begin layering colors, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding highlights.
step 04
Focus on rendering the textures of the wood grain, paper, and metal coins.
step 05
Add details to the letters, including the writing and seals.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Pay close attention to the edges of the objects to create the trompe l'oeil effect.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow

Achieve the wood tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with varying amounts of white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow for highlights and to create a warm glow. Mix ivory black with burnt umber for the darkest shadows.

techniques