plate no. 3094

Fleurs: a still life with flowers

Constant Permeke, 1926

oilExpressionismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifetablefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement. It's also a good exercise in color mixing and achieving a harmonious, muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase, flowers, and table, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of brown.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the vase, using a mix of white, brown, and ochre.
step 04
Paint the leaves with dark green, adding highlights with lighter shades.
step 05
Add the flower heads, focusing on their general shapes and colors (red, yellow, pink, white).
step 06
Refine the details of the vase, adding shadows and highlights to create form.
step 07
Develop the texture of the flowers with short, expressive brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix browns from umber and crimson. Muted greens are achieved by mixing sap green with raw umber or burnt sienna. Vary the white with touches of yellow ochre for highlights.

techniques