plate no. 2748

Camelia's in Glas

Jan Mankes, 1913

oilSymbolismflower paintingflowersrosesglassstill lifedark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color mixing, layering, and creating depth with a limited palette. It also provides practice in rendering delicate floral forms and capturing the subtle reflections on glass.

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 flowers, glass, and table, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the dark background and table with a thin layer of dark brown/black.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the flowers with a light gray or off-white.
step 04
Begin layering in subtle color variations within the flowers, using yellows, greens, and grays.
step 05
Add the details of the petals, focusing on the light and shadow to create form.
step 06
Paint the glass, capturing the reflections and transparency with thin glazes.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a focal point.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · burnt umber

Achieve the subtle grays and off-whites by mixing titanium white with small amounts of ivory black, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Use thin glazes of sap green to create the dark greens of the leaves.

techniques