plate no. 2451
Breakfast
Gabriel Metsu, 1660
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures like fur and fabric, as well as understanding how to create depth through subtle value changes and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of figures and objects.
- step 02
Establish the dark background tones with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures, table, and other objects.
- step 04
Begin layering values to create form and depth, focusing on the light source.
- step 05
Develop the textures of the fur, fabric, and wood using various brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, clothing, and still life elements.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.
- step 08
Add final glazes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve the fur tones by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and burnt sienna. Create the fabric folds by layering different values of white and blue. Use glazes of burnt sienna and raw umber to create the wood tones.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·rendering fabric
- ·rendering fur
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the dark background tones.
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