plate no. 0769

The Bicycle Interior

John Bratby, 1958

oilExpressionisminteriorbicycleinteriortablechairnewspapercart

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to represent complex forms with simplified shapes and values. It also encourages observation of light and shadow in a cluttered scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the main objects (bicycle, cart, table, chair).
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on capturing the direction and texture of the brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix local colors and apply them with bold, visible strokes, paying attention to how colors interact.
step 05
Use thicker paint and impasto to create highlights and add dimension to the forms.
step 06
Refine the edges of the objects, allowing some areas to blend and others to remain sharp.
step 07
Add details such as the newspaper text and bicycle components with smaller brushes.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance of the painting, making final adjustments to values and colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · ivory black · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix greens by combining blue and yellow.

techniques