plate no. 7391
Flowers in a Vase
Avigdor Arikha, 2003
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create subtle variations and capturing the delicate texture of flowers with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in observing and representing the transparency of glass.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the vase and flower arrangement.
- step 02
Block in the background with a light, neutral tone.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the flowers and vase to create a foundation for layering.
- step 04
Begin layering colors in the flowers, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
- step 05
Add highlights to the flowers to create dimension and capture the light.
- step 06
Paint the vase, paying attention to the reflections and transparency of the glass.
- step 07
Refine the details of the flowers and vase, adding subtle color variations and textures.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and values to create a cohesive and balanced painting.
color palette
primary · lavender · gray · white
secondary · green · brown · pink
Mix lavender by combining purple with white. Achieve the background color by mixing gray with a touch of yellow or beige.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the flowers and losing the delicate texture.
- →Creating a flat, lifeless background.
- →Failing to capture the transparency of the glass vase.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (small and medium)
- ·Flat brushes (small and medium)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Painting medium
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for easy blending and layering of colors.
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