plate no. 4595
Turks at the Cafe
Iosif Iser, 1937
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in a loose, expressive style and understanding color temperature to create depth and form. It will also help them learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, table, and background.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for the figures, table, and background using thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Define the facial features and clothing details with thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add the details on the table, such as the flowers and cup.
- step 06
Refine the background and add any final details.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · cerulean blue
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · sap green
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, white, and small amounts of blue or red. Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The greens are created by mixing blue, yellow, and white.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the light and shadow patterns.
- →Not simplifying the shapes and forms.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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