plate no. 9600

Merry Society

oil, woodBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriortablecardswindowlight

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand the use of chiaroscuro to create dramatic lighting and learn to depict figures in an interior space with complex relationships. It also provides practice in rendering fabrics and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of figures and the perspective of the room.
step 02
Establish the dark background tones using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light, focusing on the areas illuminated by the window and candle.
step 04
Begin refining the figures, paying attention to the folds of fabric and the details of their faces.
step 05
Add details to the table, cards, and other objects in the scene.
step 06
Develop the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the luminosity.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve the warm, glowing light by mixing yellow ochre with small amounts of cadmium red and white. Create the dark tones by mixing burnt umber, black, and a touch of blue.

techniques