plate no. 1176

Merry Company with Masked Dancers

oilBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriorinstrumentstabledancersroom

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex figures in a scene and understanding the use of light and shadow to create depth and form. It also provides practice in depicting textures of fabrics and various objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the shadows and highlights on the figures and objects.
step 04
Start refining the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the facial features.
step 05
Work on the background elements, adding details to the architecture and the objects on the table.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, making sure to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights on the instruments and the reflections on the glassware.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of harmony.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Achieve the subtle variations in skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Create the dark fabrics by mixing ivory black with raw umber and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques