plate no. 9511

Flower Still Life

oilExpressionismstill lifeflowersstill lifepitcherbowlfruitdrapery

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in observing subtle color variations in seemingly monochromatic objects like the white pitcher. Students can also practice creating soft edges and blending to achieve a sense of depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone gray, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the pitcher, bowl, and drapery with simplified color blocks.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the pitcher, focusing on highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the colors and folds of the drapery, using a variety of greens and blues.
step 06
Add details to the flowers, paying attention to their individual shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, blending and softening where necessary.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · viridian green · payne's gray

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · burnt umber

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with Payne's gray and small amounts of other colors. Achieve the green drapery by mixing viridian green with white, Payne's gray, and touches of yellow or blue for variation.

techniques