plate no. 0520
The Supper
Leon Bakst, 1902
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with a limited palette and creating a sense of depth through brushwork and value variations. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive mark-making.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, table, and key elements.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral tones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and the table cloth with simplified values.
- step 04
Begin refining the figure's features and clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the folds and highlights of the tablecloth, using loose brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details to the still life elements, such as the oranges and glass.
- step 07
Refine the chair and other background elements, maintaining a sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium orange
Mix ivory black and white for various shades of gray. Use yellow ochre to warm the whites and create highlights on the tablecloth. Mix burnt umber with black to create rich dark tones. Add orange to white for the oranges.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·value studies
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations within the shadows and highlights.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to create a warmer base.
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