plate no. 4352

Herb Tea

Janet Fish, 1995

oilContemporary Realismstill lifestill lifeglasswareteafruitshadowstabletop

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in painting transparent objects, capturing light and shadow, and understanding color relationships in a complex still life. It also encourages careful observation of reflections and refractions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of objects and their relative sizes.
step 02
Block in the background with light, neutral tones, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin painting the larger shapes of the objects, focusing on the local color and value.
step 04
Carefully observe and paint the shadows, reflections, and refractions on the glassware and other objects.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create depth and realism.
step 06
Add details such as the tea leaves, fruit segments, and edges of the glassware.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the objects.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and realistic representation.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · lemon yellow · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · raw umber · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of pink and red by combining cadmium red, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Use cerulean blue and raw umber to create cool grays for the shadows and reflections.

techniques