plate no. 4305
His Mug and His Pipe
William Michael Harnett, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures and subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in accurately depicting the forms of everyday objects.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and their placement on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin, even layer of dark brown.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of each object, paying attention to their local color and value.
- step 04
Start building up layers of paint, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 05
Carefully blend the transitions between light and shadow to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 06
Add details such as the newspaper text, the mug's design, and the pipe's texture.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the objects to create a sense of depth and separation.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve the mug's color by mixing raw sienna with white and a touch of burnt umber. Create the pipe's wood tone with burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and white for the newspaper text.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the objects wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the paint and losing the freshness of the colors.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and form.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will make blending easier.
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