plate no. 9118

Still Life and a Window

Arthur Segal, 1935

oilRealismstill lifestill lifewindowcupplatepalm treesseascape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in observing subtle color variations in low-light conditions and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering reflective surfaces and simple geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the proportions of the window, cup, and plate.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of dark browns and blues.
step 03
Block in the general shapes and values of the objects on the table, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the window frame with white, adding subtle gray tones for shadows and depth.
step 05
Develop the seascape visible through the window, starting with the sky and then the sea, using light, muted colors.
step 06
Add the palm trees, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the cup and plate, paying attention to the reflections on their surfaces.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the objects.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of secondary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall composition.
→Making the colors too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle reflections on the objects.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits