plate no. 1028

The Smokers or The Peasants of Moerdijk

oil, woodBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriortablepipescattavern

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit interior and capturing the textures of various materials using visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and objects, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the figures, focusing on the shapes of the faces and the folds of the clothing.
step 04
Add details to the objects on the tables and in the background, such as the pipes, jugs, and cat.
step 05
Develop the textures of the walls and floor using broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the forms of the figures and objects.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a warm, aged effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · red ochre · Prussian blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna. Use small amounts of Prussian blue to create the cooler tones in the shadows and clothing. Add white to create highlights and lighter values.

techniques