plate no. 7796

The Cabinets

Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1910

oil, canvasExpressionisminteriorfiguresmannequinsclothinginteriorcabinetdisplay

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing mood through limited color palettes and understanding how to suggest form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. Students will also practice painting reflections and transparent surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and placement of the figures and the cabinet.
step 02
Block in the large shapes and areas of color using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Focus on establishing the overall value structure, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Develop the figures and clothing, adding details and textures with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the cabinet, suggesting the glass and reflections with subtle variations in tone and color.
step 06
Add details to the background and foreground, keeping them relatively simple and understated.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the overall harmony and balance of the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of secondary colors. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing
·limited palette
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color that suggest the glass and reflections.