plate no. 6073

Cinerarias

Rita Angus, 1942

oilRegionalismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifebackground

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice layering watercolor washes and controlling the flow of the paint to create soft gradations. Students can also learn about negative painting to define the shapes of the flowers and vase.

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 of the vase and flower arrangement.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted brown to the background, allowing it to dry completely.
step 03
Paint the vase with a light tan color, building up the shadows with subsequent washes.
step 04
Begin painting the flowers, starting with the lightest blue and gradually adding darker shades to create depth.
step 05
Use a fine brush to add details to the flower centers and petals.
step 06
Paint the leaves with a light green wash, adding shadows with a darker green.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Consider adding splatters of color to the background for texture.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt sienna to create the various shades of purple in the flowers. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the tan color for the vase. Add white for highlights.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·negative painting
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
→Using too much water, causing the paint to bleed uncontrollably.
→Losing the light values and highlights.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein