plate no. 8512

The Fishmonger

oil, canvasBaroquestill lifefishseafoodstill lifemerchantscalesmarket

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures of various seafood and creating depth through layering and glazing techniques. It also provides practice in composing a complex still life with a human figure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main elements (fish, bowls, figure).
step 02
Establish the background tones with thin washes of brown and grey.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the fish and other seafood, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the forms and create a sense of depth.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to define the textures and details of the fish scales, skin, and shells.
step 06
Paint the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the expression on the face.
step 07
Refine the details and add finishing touches, such as reflections in the bowls of water.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

Achieve the silvery tones of the fish by mixing black and white with small amounts of blue or green. Use glazes of burnt umber and raw sienna to create the warm, earthy tones of the background and the bowls.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·layering
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Losing the sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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