plate no. 9431

The Milk

Nikolaos Lytras, 1917

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguretablestill lifetea setinteriorportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations to create a sense of depth and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition: the figure, table, and objects.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall values (lightness/darkness).
step 03
Start with the background, then move to the figure and the still life elements.
step 04
Develop the shadows and highlights, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the face and hands, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the objects, creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian

Mix white with small amounts of umber and ochre for the table cloth. Use red and umber for the background. Mix blue and white for the highlights on the tea set.

techniques