plate no. 3305

In the Café

Isaac Israels, 1905

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurecafetabledrinkreflectionchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in painting reflective surfaces and figures in an interior setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure, table, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Start building up thicker layers of paint, defining the shapes and forms with visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values in the painting.
step 05
Add details to the figure, such as the face, clothing, and hat, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Work on the background, including the window and reflection, using loose and expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, adjusting the colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to create the warm tones in the skin and table. Add ultramarine blue to the blacks and browns to create cooler shadows.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·impasto
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the correct values and proportions.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the main subject.
→Not paying attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values.