plate no. 7272

Cactus. Mers Du Sud

Paul Jacoulet, 1941

oilUkiyo-eflower paintingcactusflowersbutterflyfoliagedesertbotanical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps develop skills in color blocking, precise line work, and understanding of botanical forms. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes into basic geometric 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 of the cacti, flowers, and butterfly, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background color with a thin, even wash.
step 03
Begin filling in the larger areas of color for the cacti, using flat, even tones.
step 04
Add the base colors for the flowers, focusing on the overall shape and color relationships.
step 05
Paint the butterfly, starting with the wings and then the body, using clean color separation.
step 06
Add details to the flowers, such as the centers and petal variations.
step 07
Outline the major shapes with fine lines to define the forms and create separation.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · light green · red · white · yellow

secondary · orange · pink · dark green · black

Mix various shades of green by combining light green with small amounts of yellow, blue, or brown. Achieve the flower colors by mixing primary colors with white for lighter tints.

techniques