plate no. 2275

Flowers

Nikolai Kulbin, 1910

oilExpressionismflower paintingflowersgardenfoliagetreesskybuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a vibrant and textured surface. It also encourages observation of color relationships within a complex scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, foliage, flowers, and background.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint with visible brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 04
Mix colors directly on the canvas to create variations and blends.
step 05
Add details to the flowers and foliage, using smaller brushstrokes and brighter colors.
step 06
Refine the composition and adjust the values to create depth and interest.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · lemon yellow · sap green

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · orange · violet

Achieve the various greens by mixing blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques