plate no. 9570

The Terrace at the Restaurant Jacob in Nienstedten on the Elbe

Max Liebermann, 1902

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingtreesfigurestablesrestaurantparklandscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in capturing light and shadow in a park setting with figures, and in simplifying details to create an impressionistic effect. Students can develop their skills in color mixing to achieve the subtle variations in greens and browns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of trees, tables, and figures.
step 02
Establish the background with a light wash of sky and distant landscape.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees, using darker greens and browns for the trunks and lighter greens for the foliage.
step 04
Add the tables and chairs, paying attention to their perspective and placement.
step 05
Paint the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on capturing their gestures and poses.
step 06
Develop the light and shadow patterns, using highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add details such as the tableware and the patterns of light filtering through the trees.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a harmonious and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix greens by blending yellow and blue with varying amounts of white. Use raw umber and white for the tables and chairs. Add touches of alizarin crimson to create the pinkish hues in the figures' clothing.

techniques