plate no. 1549

At the Café

Emil Nolde, 1911

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingfigurescafetableinteriorportraitssocial gathering

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood and atmosphere. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the figures and table.
step 02
Establish the overall warm background tone with a mix of yellows, oranges, and reds.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for each figure, using broad, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the dark areas of the man's suit, using blacks and dark greens.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms and create depth.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the faces, paying attention to the expressive use of color.
step 07
Refine the details of the table and the objects on it.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black · ultramarine blue

secondary · sap green · titanium white · burnt sienna

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of white. Create the darker tones by mixing black with blues and greens. The warm background is achieved by layering yellows, oranges, and reds.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color layering
·impasto
·simplification of form
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and losing the overall impression.
→Not using enough paint and creating a thin, washy effect.
→Failing to capture the expressive quality of the original.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black, ultramarine blue, sap green, titanium white, burnt sienna)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine

optional