plate no. 7564

Still Life with a Ham

oilBaroquestill lifestill lifehambeerbreadpitchertable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures and capturing subtle light variations on different surfaces. It also provides practice in creating depth through careful observation of value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the placement and proportions of the objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values of each object using thin washes of color.
step 03
Gradually build up the layers of paint, focusing on the transitions between light and shadow.
step 04
Pay close attention to the details of the textures, such as the crust of the bread and the foam of the beer.
step 05
Refine the edges and highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 06
Add subtle color variations to enhance the depth and richness of the painting.
step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and values.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the bread, ham, and background. Use white and black to create the grays for the pitcher and knife. Add a touch of red to the ham for a realistic color.

techniques