Blumen by Helen Dahm

plate no. 8827

Blumen

oilExpressionismflower paintingflowersleavesfloral arrangementred background

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and bold brushstrokes. Students can learn to create a vibrant composition with a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

2

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

3

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the flowers, leaves, and stems lightly onto the canvas.
step 02
Block in the red background with a solid layer of paint.
step 03
Paint the leaves using dark green, adding highlights with lighter green.
step 04
Apply the base color for the flowers (cream/white) using broad strokes.
step 05
Add the red details in the center of each flower, using short, expressive strokes.
step 06
Outline the flowers and leaves with dark blue/black to define the shapes.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Allow to dry and apply a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · red · white · green

secondary · dark blue/black · yellow

Mix white with a touch of yellow to create the cream color for the flowers. Vary the green by mixing in some yellow or blue.

techniques

·blocking in
·impasto
·outlining
·simplified shapes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too many colors
→Not defining shapes clearly with outlines
→Making the background too busy

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Acrylic or oil paints
·Red paint
·White paint
·Green paint
·Dark blue/black paint
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Canvas or painting panel
·Palette

optional

·Palette knife
·Medium (for oil paints)
·Varnish

Use thicker paint for more visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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