plate no. 8316
Earthware Pot and Apples
Emile Bernard, 1887
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use visible brushstrokes to create texture. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve muted and earthy tones.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the objects on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background color with a thin wash.
- step 03
Establish the main colors of each object, focusing on the overall tone.
- step 04
Add layers of paint to build up the form and volume of the objects.
- step 05
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create texture and suggest form.
- step 06
Pay attention to the subtle color variations within each object.
- step 07
Add shadows and highlights to define the forms and create depth.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian green
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black
Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the background. Use viridian green and black to create the green pottery. Mix red and green to create the brown tones of the pot.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color layering
- ·simplification of form
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions of the objects wrong.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- →Making the colors too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a medium to thin the paint slightly.
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