plate no. 5837

Militiamen in an interior

Arturo Souto, 1937

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresinteriortablewindowgunpitcher

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing the mood of a scene using a limited palette and loose brushwork, as well as understanding how to depict figures in an interior space with a focus on light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and major objects.
step 02
Establish the overall warm, dark background tone using a mixture of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and objects with simplified color masses.
step 04
Develop the light and shadow patterns on the figures, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Refine the background and surrounding objects, maintaining a loose and expressive style.
step 07
Add highlights to the pitcher, cup, and other reflective surfaces.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna. Use ultramarine blue to create cooler shadows and to mix with the browns for a muted effect. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth in the skin tones.

techniques