plate no. 2859

Interior with Smokers

oil, panelBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriortablesmokerstavernpottery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create a sense of depth using value and how to depict figures in a dimly lit environment. It also offers practice in rendering textures and capturing the nuances of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Develop the figures, paying attention to their proportions and gestures.
step 05
Add details to the objects, such as the pottery and table, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, using glazes to create subtle gradations of tone.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · titanium white · red oxide

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with each other and with white. Use thin glazes of color to create depth and luminosity.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless image.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Not paying attention to the details of the lighting and shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·raw umber oil paint
·burnt umber oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·easel

Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for smooth blending and glazing. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before beginning to paint.

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