plate no. 5782
Still Life with Jug 1885
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the objects.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark, muted colors.
- step 03
Block in the main values of the jug and other objects, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Refine the shapes and details of the objects, paying attention to the contours and edges.
- step 05
Add highlights and subtle color variations to create depth and realism.
- step 06
Develop the texture of the surfaces with visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Paint the cast shadows to ground the objects and create a sense of space.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
Mix black and white for various shades of gray. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the fruit. Mix ultramarine blue with white and gray for the jug's patterns.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·value studies
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overblending, which can flatten the image.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
- →Getting the proportions of the objects wrong.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure early on.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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