plate no. 1800

The Merry Drinker

oilBaroquegenre paintingfiguremandrinkinghatfeatherclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing facial expressions and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in depicting textures like feathers and fabric.

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 proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, hat, and clothing using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin layering values to create form and dimension, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the expression and likeness.
step 06
Add details to the hat, feathers, and clothing, rendering textures and patterns.
step 07
Paint the drinking vessel, capturing its metallic sheen and reflections.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall realism and impact.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create the orange tones in the clothing.

techniques