plate no. 1635

Flowers in Vase

oilExpressionismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifetable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to suggest form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase and flower arrangement.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of green and yellow.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the vase using dark browns and blacks.
step 04
Begin layering the flower petals with light pinks and whites, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add hints of orange and yellow to the flower centers.
step 06
Introduce lighter greens and whites to suggest smaller flowers and foliage.
step 07
Refine the edges of the vase and flowers, softening some and sharpening others.
step 08
Add final highlights to the flowers and vase to create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of pink by combining alizarin crimson and titanium white. Create the background green by mixing yellow ochre and sap green. Darken colors with burnt umber.

techniques