plate no. 9689

Still Life with a Gold Chain

oilBaroquestill lifestill lifebooksmetalworkgold chainshellstable

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in rendering metallic surfaces and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. Students will also learn to depict textures of different objects under low light conditions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a canvas with a dark ground (e.g., burnt umber or raw umber).
step 02
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a value structure.
step 04
Begin blocking in the main colors of each object, focusing on the overall tone and color temperature.
step 05
Develop the forms by adding layers of paint, gradually refining the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Pay close attention to the reflections and highlights on the metallic objects.
step 07
Add details such as the texture of the books, the links of the chain, and the patterns on the metalwork.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · ultramarine blue · red oxide

Achieve the metallic sheen by mixing yellow ochre with white and small amounts of umber and black. Use glazes of umber and black to create shadows and depth. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for dark, cool shadows.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·underpainting
·rendering reflective surfaces

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.
→Using too much white, which can make the colors look chalky.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·linseed oil
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional

·palette knife
·dammar varnish
·turpentine
·medium (e.g., Liquin)

A smooth canvas is recommended for achieving the subtle blends and details in this painting. Consider using a pre-toned canvas with a dark umber wash.

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