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Cardplayers by Pieter de Hooch

plate no. 3783

Cardplayers

Pieter de Hooch, 1658

oil, canvasBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriorwindowtablefloor tilesdoorway
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create a sense of depth using color and value changes. It will also develop their skills in rendering figures in a realistic style.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the perspective of the room.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and the floor tiles.

  3. step 03

    Begin to develop the figures, paying attention to their proportions and the folds of their clothing.

  4. step 04

    Refine the details of the window and the objects on the table.

  5. step 05

    Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.

  6. step 06

    Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values in the painting.

  7. step 07

    Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre and raw umber for the warm tones of the walls and floor. Use ivory black and titanium white to create the darks and lights in the figures' clothing. Add small amounts of burnt sienna and cadmium red light for the red accents.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·linear perspective
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Getting the perspective of the floor tiles wrong.
  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
  • →Not paying enough attention to the light source.
  • →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·cadmium red light oil paint
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·retouch varnish

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for this painting.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →chiaroscuro →how to learn by studying the masters →
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