apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Large still life with a lady and parrot
Large still life with a lady and parrot by Frans Snyders

plate no. 8474

Large still life with a lady and parrot

Frans Snyders

oilBaroquestill lifestill lifefruitgamefigureparrotflowers
experienced study

This painting provides an opportunity to practice rendering textures of various objects and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. Students can also learn about composition in complex arrangements.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
1

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement.

  2. step 02

    Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, gradually adding subtle variations.

  3. step 03

    Block in the larger shapes of the main objects (deer, fruits, figure) with basic colors.

  4. step 04

    Begin layering colors to create depth and form within each object, paying attention to highlights and shadows.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the fruits, flowers, and figure, refining their shapes and textures.

  6. step 06

    Work on the smaller details like the bird, patterns on the bowls, and the tiled floor.

  7. step 07

    Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall atmosphere.

  8. step 08

    Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with black and white. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·layering
  • ·rendering textures

common pitfalls

  • →getting lost in details too early
  • →overworking the painting
  • →not establishing a strong value structure
  • →inaccurate proportions

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·raw sienna oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·dammar varnish
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·retouch varnish

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →chiaroscuro →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Girl with a Straw Hat

Girl with a Straw Hat

Judith Leyster

Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten

Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten

Abraham Storck

Bathsheba Bathing

Bathsheba Bathing

Francesco Solimena

Repentant Peter

Repentant Peter

Guido Reni

Itinerant Musicians

Itinerant Musicians

Jacob Ochtervelt

Marie Christine

Marie Christine

Marcello Bacciarelli

Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli

Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli

Giulio Cesare Procaccini

Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict

Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict

Philippe de Champaigne