plate no. 2007

Casino

Jesús Meneses del Barco, 1975

oilContemporary Realismgenre paintingfiguresinteriortableschairsroomcasino

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment and understanding how to use value to create depth and form. It also provides practice in capturing the atmosphere of a social gathering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and tables.
step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the painting with a thin wash of burnt sienna or raw umber.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the painting, such as the figures' clothing and the shadows under the tables.
step 04
Begin to define the figures, paying attention to the highlights on their faces and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the background, such as the architectural elements and the other figures in the room.
step 06
Refine the values and colors throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as the cards on the table and the expressions on the figures' faces.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the painting and enhance the warm tones.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing burnt sienna and raw umber with white. Use small amounts of black to darken areas and yellow ochre to add subtle highlights.

techniques

·underpainting
·value studies
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Creating too much contrast, which can make the painting look harsh.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, which can make the painting look flat.
→Getting lost in the details of individual figures before establishing the overall composition.