plate no. 6531
Peasants playing cards in a tavern
Adriaen Brouwer, 1635
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a dimly lit interior and understanding how to create a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective and muted colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the table.
- step 02
Establish the overall warm, muted color palette by applying a thin, transparent wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures, table, and background elements.
- step 04
Develop the light and shadow areas on the figures and objects, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
- step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing of the figures, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Refine the textures of the objects, such as the wood, fabric, and pottery.
- step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of burnt umber to create shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
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 (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·mahogany palette
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to facilitate blending and glazing. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting.
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