plate no. 3795

Still Life with a Turkey Pie

oilBaroquestill lifestill lifefoodtableturkeysilverwarefruit

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures, particularly the sheen of metal and the varied surfaces of food. It will also improve their understanding of light and shadow to create depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the major shapes and composition.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main objects (turkey, pie, silverware, etc.) with their basic colors.
step 04
Develop the highlights and shadows on each object to create form.
step 05
Pay close attention to the reflections on the silverware, using layers of light and dark tones.
step 06
Add details to the food, such as the crust of the pie and the texture of the oysters.
step 07
Refine the drapery of the tablecloth, paying attention to folds and highlights.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the metallic sheen by layering thin glazes of black and white, and mixing small amounts of blue and yellow into the white to create cooler highlights. Use burnt umber and raw sienna mixed with white for the warm tones of the food.

techniques