plate no. 7637

Still Life with a Curtain

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifewindowbottlefruitcurtainbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for muted tones, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition: window frame, still life objects, and background buildings.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, defining the shapes and forms with visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix and apply colors for the window frame, curtain, and still life objects, paying attention to color temperature and value.
step 05
Add details to the background buildings, using a smaller brush to suggest architectural features.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark browns and blacks. Use yellow ochre and white to create the muted yellows and creams. Mix ultramarine blue with white to achieve the curtain color.

techniques