plate no. 8756
The Last Supper of Jesus
Andre Derain, 1911
some experience helpful
This painting offers a chance to practice simplifying complex scenes into geometric forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive mood. Students will learn to capture the essence of a subject rather than focusing on realistic detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and table.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall tonal values.
- step 03
Refine the shapes of the figures, simplifying them into geometric forms.
- step 04
Add details to the faces, keeping them stylized and minimal.
- step 05
Paint the table and objects on it, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 06
Define the background with broad strokes of color.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Review and adjust the composition as needed to achieve a balanced and harmonious result.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Burnt umber
secondary · Yellow ochre · Raw sienna
Mix blues and umbers to create the various shades of gray and blue-gray. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·Simplified shapes
- ·Limited palette
- ·Block-in painting
- ·Geometric abstraction
- ·Tonal values
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes
- →Using too many colors
- →Ignoring the overall tonal values
- →Focusing on details too early
- →Losing the sense of abstraction
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Burnt umber oil paint
- ·Yellow ochre oil paint
- ·Round brushes
- ·Palette
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Raw sienna oil paint
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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