plate no. 9360

The Cooks

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresinteriortablecookskitchenclothing

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to create a sense of depth using value and how to suggest details with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in rendering figures in a dimly lit environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and the table with mid-tone values.
step 04
Start building up the highlights on the figures' clothing and faces, using thicker paint.
step 05
Add details to the table and the objects on it, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in tone to create depth.
step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights on the glasses and the texture of the clothing.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust the values.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to create the off-white tones of the clothing. Use burnt sienna to warm up the shadows and add depth.

techniques