apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Elegant company dining in the open air
Elegant company dining in the open air by Esaias van de Velde

plate no. 3622

Elegant company dining in the open air

Esaias van de Velde, 1615

oilBaroquegenre paintingfigureslandscapetreestablefoodsky
experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in complex poses and rendering realistic textures of clothing and foliage. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures, table, and background elements.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall composition and perspective of the scene.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main color masses for the figures, clothing, and landscape.

  4. step 04

    Develop the values and shading within each area, focusing on light and shadow.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the figures, including facial features, clothing folds, and accessories.

  6. step 06

    Refine the textures of the trees, foliage, and ground.

  7. step 07

    Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the sky and background.

  8. step 08

    Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ivory black. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create subtle color variations.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·figure drawing
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the scene.
  • →Getting lost in the complexity of the figures and losing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·turpentine

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →chiaroscuro →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Girl with a Straw Hat

Girl with a Straw Hat

Judith Leyster

Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten

Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten

Abraham Storck

Bathsheba Bathing

Bathsheba Bathing

Francesco Solimena

Repentant Peter

Repentant Peter

Guido Reni

Itinerant Musicians

Itinerant Musicians

Jacob Ochtervelt

Marie Christine

Marie Christine

Marcello Bacciarelli

Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli

Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli

Giulio Cesare Procaccini

Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict

Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict

Philippe de Champaigne