plate no. 7239
Flowers
Rupert Bunny, 1930
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and form, and in observing subtle color variations within a limited palette. It also provides practice in capturing the texture and form of flowers using expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase, flowers, and table, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the vase and the table, paying attention to the light source.
- step 04
Begin layering the white roses, starting with the shadows and mid-tones, gradually adding highlights.
- step 05
Add the green foliage and stems, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 06
Refine the details of the flowers, adding subtle color variations and textures.
- step 07
Paint the details of the table and the fallen petals.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green
Mix white with small amounts of blue, yellow, and red to create the subtle variations in the white roses. Use raw umber and white for the background. Mix blue and crimson for the vase.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·wet-on-dry
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the flowers, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the white roses, making them appear flat.
- →Ignoring the importance of shadows and highlights in creating depth and dimension.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a muddy and overworked painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw umber, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, sap green)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Adjust paint colors as needed to match the original painting.
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