plate no. 0462

Flowers in a Vase

Matthew Smith, 1914

oilFauvismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifetableleaves

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create vibrant and simplified forms. It encourages a focus on capturing the essence of the subject rather than precise realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the vases, flowers, and leaves, focusing on their placement and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of red and pink, leaving some areas of the canvas exposed.
step 03
Establish the table surface with a base layer of yellow-brown.
step 04
Paint the vases using blues, purples, and pinks, varying the brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add the flowers with bold strokes of yellow and green, simplifying their forms.
step 06
Define the leaves with darker greens, paying attention to their shapes and angles.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow · red · green · blue

secondary · pink · purple · brown

Mix various shades of pink by combining red and white. Create purple by mixing red and blue. Achieve different greens by combining yellow and blue, adding small amounts of red to create muted tones.

techniques