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home·artworks·Preparing for Dinner
Preparing for Dinner by Ludwig Bemelmans

plate no. 1337

Preparing for Dinner

Ludwig Bemelmans

mixed media, collage, paperNaïve Art (Primitivism)illustrationrestaurantfiguresinteriortablebaranimals
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified figure drawing and learn to create depth using overlapping shapes and color variations. It also offers a chance to explore expressive brushstrokes and capturing a scene with a whimsical style.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of figures and key elements.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the foreground.

  3. step 03

    Add details to the figures, such as facial features, clothing, and accessories.

  4. step 04

    Define the shapes of the furniture and other objects in the scene.

  5. step 05

    Create the patterns on the tablecloths and floor.

  6. step 06

    Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details and add any final touches.

  8. step 08

    Outline key elements with a dark color to enhance the cartoonish style.

color palette

primary · brown · yellow · white · black

secondary · green · blue · red

Mix browns from burnt umber and burnt sienna. Achieve lighter tones by adding white. Greens can be created by mixing blues and yellows.

techniques

  • ·flat washes
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·simplified linework
  • ·layering
  • ·color blocking

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the simplified, naive style.
  • →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
  • →Not establishing a clear focal point.
  • →Inaccurate proportions in figures.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

  • ·watercolor paints or gouache
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·watercolor paper or mixed media paper
  • ·palette
  • ·water container
  • ·pencil
  • ·eraser
  • ·ruler

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·masking fluid
  • ·colored pencils

Using thicker paper will prevent buckling when applying wet media. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.

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