plate no. 4364
At the beer garden
Adolph Menzel, 1883
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, depicting figures in complex compositions, and capturing atmospheric perspective through subtle color variations and value shifts.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Develop the background figures with loose brushstrokes and muted colors.
- step 04
Focus on the two main figures, refining their features and clothing details.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones and fabrics.
- step 07
Add details like the cigars, flowers, and dog.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with burnt umber and ivory black. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Mix small amounts of alizarin crimson and cadmium yellow to create the flesh tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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