plate no. 1462
The great table
Rene Magritte, 1963
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create texture and understand atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also encourages careful observation of subtle color variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the apple, rocks, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, creating a gradient from lighter at the horizon to darker at the top.
- step 03
Apply a base layer of tan/beige for the beach, varying the tone slightly.
- step 04
Paint the apple with a mid-tone blue-green, paying attention to the overall form.
- step 05
Begin layering darker and lighter shades of blue-green to create the textured surface of the apple and leaves.
- step 06
Add details to the rocks, using similar color variations as the apple, but with more browns and grays.
- step 07
Soften the edges of distant rocks to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and texture of the apple and rocks.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · yellow ochre
Mix blues and greens with white to create the various shades for the apple and leaves. Use raw umber and yellow ochre with white for the sand and rocks. Vary the proportions to achieve subtle color differences.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color layering
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which will flatten the texture.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which will reduce the sense of depth.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations within the apple and rocks.
- →Not establishing a clear light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a medium to thin the paint for smoother blending.
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