plate no. 5363

The Cut Pig

oil, panelBaroquestill lifemeatinteriorfigureswallwoodstill life

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting textures, rendering light and shadow, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the details of a complex scene with multiple elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and proportions of the main elements: the hanging meat, the wooden structure, the figures, and the surrounding environment.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure and the distribution of light and shadow.
step 03
Start refining the details of the hanging meat, paying attention to the folds, textures, and variations in color.
step 04
Develop the background, working from general shapes to more specific details. Use loose brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the wall and the surrounding objects.
step 05
Add details to the figures, focusing on their forms and their interaction with the light.
step 06
Refine the details of the wooden structure, paying attention to the texture and the way it interacts with the hanging meat.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to ensure a harmonious and balanced image.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Achieve the fleshy tones of the meat by mixing cadmium red, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create the dark shadows in the background. Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the wooden structure.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and texture.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ivory black, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags