Still Life with a Brass Kettle

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Achieve the metallic sheen of the kettle by layering yellow ochre, burnt umber, and touches of cadmium yellow. Mix subtle variations of green for the pot by combining viridian green with white and touches of yellow ochre. Create depth in the dark areas by mixing burnt umber and ivory black.

techniques

• ·glazing
• ·scumbling
• ·dry brushing
• ·chiaroscuro
• ·layering

common pitfalls

• →Overworking the metallic surface of the kettle, resulting in a flat, unrealistic appearance.
• →Failing to capture the subtle tonal variations in the dark background, leading to a lack of depth.
• →Ignoring the individual forms and shadows of the onions, making them appear flat and uniform.
• →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a lack of harmony and depth.