plate no. 6793

Still Life in an Interior

Konstantin Makovsky, 1900

oilRealismstill lifestill lifeinteriortablechairfruitfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures, particularly the interplay of light and shadow on fabric, and understanding atmospheric perspective in an interior setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the table, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the main areas of color: green wall, red furniture, white tablecloth.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes and values of the objects on the table, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the textures of the tablecloth and chair cushion using varied brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the background elements, such as the paintings on the wall and the cabinet.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 07
Add final details, such as the reflections on the silverware and the details of the fruit.
step 08
Glaze and varnish (if using oils) for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · viridian green · crimson red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black

Mix various shades of green by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Achieve the red hues by mixing crimson with burnt umber and a touch of black for shadows. The white tablecloth requires subtle mixes of white with small amounts of other colors to capture the light and shadow.

techniques

·blocking
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not capturing the subtle color variations in the white tablecloth.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, which can flatten the image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (viridian green, crimson red, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags