plate no. 9006

Cornflowers (Memories of the Childhood)

oilMagic Realismlandscapeflowersfieldskygrasslandscapetrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as using small brushstrokes to build up complex forms like the flowers and grasses.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the field, and the general placement of the flower clumps.
step 02
Establish the background sky with a thin wash of muted grey and brown tones.
step 03
Block in the distant field with broad strokes of brown and ochre, suggesting the texture of the earth.
step 04
Begin layering the grasses with varying shades of brown, green, and grey, using small, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Start building up the flower heads with layers of blue, paying attention to the variations in color and value.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the flowers and grasses to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the flowers and grasses, adding individual stems and petals.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Raw Sienna · Payne's Grey

Mix Prussian Blue with white for the flower highlights and add a touch of Burnt Umber to darken the blue for shadows. Use Yellow Ochre and Raw Sienna to create the warm tones of the field.

techniques