plate no. 6778

The Table Setting

Edouard Vuillard, 1903

oilIntimisminteriorinteriortablestill lifefurnitureroompattern

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and practice loose, expressive brushwork to capture the textures and patterns of the scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the table and major furniture elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of color, such as the walls, floor, and tablecloth, using broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the patterns on the tablecloth and wallpaper, paying attention to the color variations and textures.
step 05
Add details to the still life elements on the table, such as the dishes and pitcher.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Step back and review the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of other colors. Use glazes of thinned color to create depth and luminosity.

techniques