plate no. 0834

Four Figures at Table

oil, canvasBaroquegenre paintingfigurestableinteriorclothingfoodfamily

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It also provides practice in painting realistic figures and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light on the figures and the tablecloth, using mid-tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the forms of the figures, paying close attention to the way the light falls on their faces and clothing.
step 05
Develop the details of the tablecloth, creating folds and highlights to suggest its texture.
step 06
Add details to the background, keeping it dark and indistinct to emphasize the figures.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · Prussian blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to create highlights and dilute colors for glazes. A touch of blue can cool down the browns.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value range, resulting in a flat or muddy painting.
→Overworking the details too early, before establishing the overall composition and values.
→Not paying enough attention to the proportions and anatomy of the figures.
→Getting the folds of the drapery wrong, making the tablecloth look unnatural.