plate no. 4124

Still Life of Fish and Cat

oil, panelBaroquestill lifefishcatstill lifeseafoodtableoysters

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures, especially fur and scales, and in creating depth through subtle value changes and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin layer of dark brown paint.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the cat, fish, and shellfish, focusing on the overall tones.
step 04
Begin layering details on the cat's fur, using small brushstrokes and varying shades of brown and gray.
step 05
Develop the scales and textures of the fish, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 06
Paint the shellfish, paying attention to the subtle color variations and textures.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the eyes of the cat and fish to bring them to life.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray for the cat's fur by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Use cadmium red and yellow ochre to create the red-orange hues of the crayfish.

techniques