plate no. 8794

Bloemen Onder Glazen Stolp

Gustave de Smet, 1939

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifeflowersglasspitcherfigurinepainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, capturing the essence of objects rather than precise details, and understanding color relationships in a complex still life setup. It also encourages exploration of expressive brushwork and simplification of forms.

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 placement of the objects (pitcher, glass dome, figurine, paintings).
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for each object, focusing on overall tones rather than details.
step 04
Begin layering paint to build up form and texture, using visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Capture the reflections and distortions in the glass dome.
step 07
Refine the details of the flowers and other objects, but maintain a loose, expressive style.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · sap green

Use raw umber and white to create a range of neutral tones for the background and shadows. Mix primary colors to create muted greens, purples, and oranges for the flowers and other objects. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques