plate no. 5914
At the Garden Table
August Macke, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a vibrant and dynamic scene. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background foliage and sky.
- step 03
Define the table and figures with broader strokes, using color to suggest form and light.
- step 04
Add details to the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Refine the shapes of the figures and chairs, paying attention to the relationships between colors.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.
- step 07
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
- step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish layer.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · titanium white
secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · alizarin crimson
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create various shades of brown and red by mixing red, umber, and white. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·alla prima
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the original.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition and creating a cluttered or unbalanced image.
- →Getting bogged down in trying to make the figures look realistic.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, titanium white, viridian green, burnt umber, alizarin crimson)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use good quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to speed up drying time or adjust the consistency of the paint.
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