plate no. 5203
Cineraria
Augustus John, 1948
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly achieving subtle variations in yellows, greens, and purples. It also provides practice in capturing the form of a complex subject like a flowering plant using simplified shapes and brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the plant pot, flowers, window, and table, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the background colors: the wall, window frame, and table surface.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the plant pot and saucer.
- step 04
Begin adding the green leaves, paying attention to their shapes and angles.
- step 05
Start painting the flowers, using a light base color for the petals and darker shades for the centers.
- step 06
Refine the details of the flowers, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add details to the window and wall, including the window slats and any variations in color.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to the entire painting to enhance the sense of light and form.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · purple · green · terracotta
secondary · white · grey · dark green · light yellow
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, green, and white. Achieve the purple hues by mixing red and blue, adding white to lighten. Create the terracotta color by mixing red, yellow, and a touch of brown.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·color mixing
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the flowers too early.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the background.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the plant and pot.
- →Making the brushstrokes too smooth and losing the textured effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (yellow ochre, purple, green, terracotta, white, grey)
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Use good quality paints for better color mixing and longevity. A medium-textured canvas will help to create a more interesting surface.
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