plate no. 7696

Chrysanthemums in the Garden

oilExpressionismflower paintingflowersgardenchrysanthemumsfoliageplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and layering colors to create depth and form. It also encourages observation of color variations within a single subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the flower clusters and foliage.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue-green watercolor to the background and areas of shadow.
step 03
Begin layering in the colors of the flowers, starting with the lightest yellows and pinks.
step 04
Gradually build up the intensity of the colors, adding darker shades of red, orange, and brown to define the forms.
step 05
Use a smaller brush to add details such as the centers of the flowers and the edges of the petals.
step 06
Continue to layer and blend colors until the desired effect is achieved.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights with a clean, damp brush to soften edges.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

secondary · raw umber · sap green · cadmium orange

Mix yellow ochre and alizarin crimson for various shades of orange and red. Combine cerulean blue and yellow ochre for greens. Use raw umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·layering washes
·dry brush texture
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the washes.
→Creating muddy colors by mixing too many pigments together.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations within the flowers.
→Not allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, cerulean blue, raw umber, sap green, cadmium orange)
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Palette for mixing paints
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser