plate no. 6139
Drinker
Walter Gramatté, 1922
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create mood and atmosphere. It also provides an opportunity to explore expressive brushwork and distorted perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures and furniture.
- step 03
Add details to the figures, such as facial features and clothing, using simplified shapes and colors.
- step 04
Develop the texture of the bar and other surfaces with visible brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 06
Add final details, such as the wine glasses and the figures in the background.
- step 07
Adjust colors and values as needed to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · red · blue · green · brown
secondary · yellow · black · white
Mix various shades of red and brown for the bar. Use blue and green for the walls, adjusting the mix for lighter and darker areas. Mix white with other colors to create lighter tints for the figures' faces and hair.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough, resulting in a cluttered composition.
- →Failing to capture the mood and atmosphere of the scene.
- →Getting bogged down in realistic rendering.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic medium)
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushwork. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their faster drying time.
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