plate no. 2235

Tavern in St. Cloud

pastel, paperExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresinteriortablewindowbottletavern

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing mood through color and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into essential forms. It also encourages experimentation with pastel application techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes of pastel, blending gently.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures and furniture, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Add layers of color to build depth and texture, using short, broken strokes.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and hands, using lighter pressure and sharper pastels.
step 06
Create highlights on the bottle, table, and clothing to add dimension.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · white · black · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the warm background. Combine ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker blues. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques