plate no. 3328
The meals
Andre Masson, 1923
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex figures and objects using simplified forms and a limited color palette. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and emotion.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, table, and objects.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of paint.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Define the edges of the forms with slightly darker or lighter tones.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, hands, and objects, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the overall composition and color balance.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Let dry and varnish.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix yellow ochre and raw umber to create the base tones for the skin and table. Use white to lighten these tones and blue to darken them. Red and yellow ochre create the pomegranate color.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·simplified forms
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →overworking the details
- →losing the overall composition
- →using too many colors
- →not paying attention to the light and shadow patterns
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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