plate no. 3365

Dinner

Franz Stuck, 1913

oil, canvasSymbolismgenre paintingfiguresinteriordinnercandlesroomtapestry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for subtle variations, and capturing the mood of a scene through light and shadow. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the room and the placement of figures.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and the table, using dark values for the silhouettes.
step 04
Add the details of the tapestries and the ceiling, using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the candles and their light, using brighter yellows and oranges, and blending them into the surrounding areas.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, adding subtle highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · burnt umber

Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of the secondary colors into the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

techniques