plate no. 9273

Asters in a Vase

oil, canvasRealismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifetableshadowsbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding subtle value changes to depict light and shadow on rounded objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase and the overall flower arrangement.
step 02
Block in the background with a muted, blended color.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the vase, leaving a highlight for the reflection.
step 04
Begin layering the colors of the flowers, starting with the darker purples and reds.
step 05
Add the white and lighter colored flowers, paying attention to their placement and shape.
step 06
Introduce green foliage, using darker greens in the shadows and lighter greens where light hits.
step 07
Refine the details of the flowers, adding texture with small brushstrokes.
step 08
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · alizarin crimson · dioxazine purple

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and white for the vase, adding small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth. Achieve the flower colors by mixing alizarin crimson, dioxazine purple, and titanium white in varying proportions. Use yellow ochre and ultramarine blue to create muted greens.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of individual flowers before establishing the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can make the painting look unrealistic.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create the illusion of form.
→Not blending the background enough, resulting in a distracting texture.