The Witches Table: A Study in light, shadow and story.

Autumn brings a certain magic to the studio — the kind that begs for candlelight, deep shadows, and rich storytelling. The Witch’s Table was born from that mood. It’s a piece that invites mystery — skulls, candles, potions — all arranged with a theatrical play of light that feels straight from a still life by a Dutch master.

Building from the Ground Up

Every painting begins with structure, and for this one, I returned to an age-old method, the grisaille underpainting. Using only four tones of grey, I established the composition and tonal map before a hint of colour ever touched the board.

Those four values — light, mid-light, mid-dark, and dark — are the backbone of classical realism. They let you build atmosphere through tone, not colour. When done right, the painting already “glows” before the glazing even begins.

A Grisaille Oil Study Using Only 4 Tonal Values

The Language of Light

Working in grisaille strips everything down to the essentials — light and form. I used a mixture of raw umber and ivory black for my darkest passages, allowing the candlelight to emerge gradually as the lights were pulled forward with titanium white. The contrast creates that haunting candle-glow the whole piece revolves around.

Laying the first colours into the background

Glazing the Spell

Once the underpainting was dry, the real alchemy began. Transparent layers of burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, and olive green breathed life into the monochrome bones beneath. The beauty of grisaille is that every colour layer enhances the luminosity — you’re not covering the light, you’re revealing it.

The Final Painting: Painted during our Halloween Spooky Special Event, 31st October 2025

A Seasonal Reflection

There’s something quietly powerful about this way of painting — the patience it demands, the rhythm of working in layers. The Witch’s Table isn’t just a Halloween project; it’s a reminder that great painting is built on timeless principles.

Whether you’re painting pumpkins, portraits, or candlelit bottles, it always comes back to those four values — the foundation of everything.

Watch this reel to see how I built "The Witches Table" starting with just those four tones in grisaille, before bringing it to life in glowing layers of colour. If you'd like to paint along with me, the full step-by-step tutorial is available inside the MazArt Academy

The Witches Table: Full Tutorial

Watch this short reel to see "The Witches Table" Come To Life