plate no. 9507

Flower Sellers in Venice

Ligia Macovei, 1958

oilExpressionismgenre paintingcanalbuildingsfiguresflowersboatsbridge

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing loose, expressive brushstrokes and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes. Students can learn to capture the essence of a scene rather than focusing on photorealistic detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the canal, buildings, and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, using thin washes to establish the overall color scheme.
step 03
Start with the background buildings, then move to the canal and boats.
step 04
Add the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their general shapes and colors.
step 05
Paint the flower seller in the foreground, paying attention to the colors and shapes of the flowers.
step 06
Add details and highlights to create depth and interest.
step 07
Refine the brushstrokes and edges to achieve the desired level of looseness and expression.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · cerulean blue · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · sap green

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the buildings. Use blue and green for the canal, and mix red and white for the figures' skin tones. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Focusing too much on detail and neglecting the overall composition.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or paint thinner

optional

·easel
·medium gloss
·rags

Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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