plate no. 5894

The absinthe drinker

Albrecht Anker, 1907

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguretableglassclothinginteriorhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing realistic skin tones and textures, and understanding how light interacts with different surfaces. It also provides practice in rendering details and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figure, table, and background.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of brown, gradually building up darker areas.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's clothing, using a limited palette of browns and creams.
step 04
Begin working on the face, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Add details to the hands and other elements, such as the glass and bag, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 06
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding subtle details to create depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and clothing to enhance realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and a touch of payne's gray to create subtle variations in the clothing.

techniques