plate no. 7637

The Game of Draughts

oilBaroquegenre paintingfigurescheckersgametableclothinginterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabrics and textures, and creating a dramatic chiaroscuro effect. Students will also learn to capture the mood and atmosphere of a Baroque painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the checkerboard.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures' clothing and skin tones, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the faces, hands, and clothing, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Develop the texture of the fabrics and the wood of the checkerboard and table.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall mood.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create shadows by adding burnt umber and black. Use glazes of ultramarine blue to cool down certain areas.

techniques