plate no. 1109

Peeling Potatoes

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfigureinteriorkitchentablefoodfireplace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow in an interior scene and capturing the texture of various objects with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in painting figures in a realistic style.

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 figure, table, and fireplace.
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 highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the facial features.
step 05
Add texture to the objects in the scene using visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, ensuring that the painting has a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to create focal points.
step 08
Let dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix raw umber and white for the cool grays of the walls and floor. Use yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna for the warm tones of the table and figure's skin. Add ultramarine blue to raw umber to create darker shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong light source and creating a flat, lifeless painting.
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a garish effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure and objects.