plate no. 9787

Uppstilling

Louisa Matthiasdottir, 1973

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifetableclothfruitcooking potasparagusknife

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in capturing light and shadow on various objects and understanding how to simplify complex patterns. Students will learn to observe and translate three-dimensional forms onto a two-dimensional surface.

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 of the still life, paying attention to the placement of objects.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for each object and the background, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the objects, using darker and lighter values of the base colors.
step 04
Begin adding details to the objects, such as the texture of the tablecloth and the highlights on the fruit.
step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the objects, paying attention to the relationships between them.
step 06
Add the small details and patterns on the tablecloth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and visually appealing painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Achieve the pinks and reds by mixing red with white. Use white and blue to create the cool tones in the shadows and the tablecloth.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Not accurately capturing the color and value relationships.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Ignoring the negative space around the objects.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, viridian green, burnt umber, yellow ochre)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags