plate no. 0785
Abendgesellschaft
Adolph Menzel, 1847
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in an interior setting and understanding how light affects color and form. It also provides practice in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of warm undertones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and furniture, paying attention to proportions.
- step 04
Develop the light source (the lamp) and its effect on the surrounding objects.
- step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the background and add subtle variations in color to the walls.
- step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the color and create depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · yellow ochre
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones and furniture. Black is used sparingly to create shadows.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the effect of the light source on the colors.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a warm undertone.
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