plate no. 8762

The Dining Room Table

Frank W. Benson, 1919

oilRealismstill lifestill lifefruitparrottablecandlemirror

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting textures, rendering light and shadow on various objects, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a bird and arranging a complex still life composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the table, fruit bowl, parrot, and candles.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the tablecloth, fruit, and parrot, paying attention to their local color.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and values of the fruit and other objects, adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the parrot, such as its feathers and beak, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Work on the reflections in the mirror, capturing the subtle variations in light and color.
step 07
Refine the details of the candlesticks and other metallic objects, paying attention to their highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the painting has a sense of unity and harmony.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Achieve the subtle grays of the parrot by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Create the warm tones of the fruit by blending yellow ochre, cadmium red, and burnt umber.

techniques