plate no. 0658

Tables VI

Panayiotis Tetsis, 1985

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifetablefruitonionsplatesshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating depth through layering and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: white background, gray shadows, yellow table, and white plate.
step 03
Add the darker shadows and details to define the shapes of the table and plates.
step 04
Paint the onions and the green fruit, paying attention to their highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the edges and details, adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the fruit and onions.
step 08
Let dry and varnish (optional).

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · payne's gray

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix the grays by combining white and Payne's gray. Achieve the onion colors by mixing alizarin crimson with a touch of Payne's gray and white. The green fruit is a mix of viridian green and yellow ochre.

techniques