plate no. 0172

CATS' BRIDGE CLUB

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationcatstablecardsanthropomorphiclampinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice creating depth using value and learn to depict animal anatomy in a stylized, anthropomorphic way. It also provides practice in rendering textures and patterns using a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the cats, tables, and lamp.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting, focusing on the black cats and the background.
step 03
Begin layering in mid-tones to define the forms of the striped and white cats.
step 04
Add details to the faces and paws of the cats, paying attention to their expressions and gestures.
step 05
Refine the details of the tables, chairs, and playing cards.
step 06
Create the light source by adding highlights to the lamp and the areas it illuminates.
step 07
Blend and soften edges where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to achieve the desired contrast.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · raw umber

Use varying ratios of black and white to create a full range of grays. Add small amounts of raw umber or payne's gray to warm or cool the grays as needed.

techniques

·value shading
·dry brushing
·blending
·hatching
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy or flat grays by not layering values.
→Losing the sense of light and shadow by not establishing a strong value contrast.
→Failing to capture the unique expressions and personalities of the cats.