plate no. 6365

Flowers, Italy

Joseph Stella, 1931

oil, canvasPrecisionismflower paintingflowersgardenarchitectureplantsfoliagesky

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the architectural elements and major flower groupings.
step 02
Block in the background sky with a gradient of blues, lighter at the top and darker towards the bottom.
step 03
Establish the dark vertical lines of the architectural structure.
step 04
Begin painting the larger flowers, focusing on their shapes and colors.
step 05
Add the smaller flowers and foliage, paying attention to their individual details.
step 06
Layer colors to create depth and dimension in the flowers and leaves.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the forms.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red · cadmium yellow

secondary · viridian green · violet · ochre

Mix various shades of green by combining blue and yellow. Create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·color mixing
·rendering
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Not establishing a clear value structure.
→Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
→Ignoring the overall composition and balance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, viridian green, violet, ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (small round, medium flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife
·rags