plate no. 9165

Flowers of Kalaki

Martiros Sarian, 1914

canvas, temperaExpressionismflower paintingflowersvasetablestill lifefoliage

recreation guide

Martiros Sarian’s 'Flowers of Kalaki' (1914) is a tempera work that reflects his early engagement with floral subjects before his later, more famous landscapes of Armenia. While the specific visual details of this 1914 canvas are not described in the provided sources, Sarian’s general practice involved drawing inspiration from nature and traditional Armenian aesthetics, often simplifying forms to emphasize color and line rather than strict botanical realism (Source 7). The use of tempera, a fast-drying medium consisting of pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder like egg yolk, suggests a technique focused on precise, layered application rather than the wet-on-wet blending typical of oil painting (Source 3). This medium allows for the crisp, decorative quality often associated with Sarian’s graphic sensibilities and his work in theater design, where he emphasized strong outlines and harmonious color schemes (Source 6).

estimated time

20-30 hours over 5-7 sessions

materials

7 items

steps

5 in sequence

materials

item	purpose	modern equivalent
Canvas panel	Support for tempera painting	Primed linen or cotton canvas stretched on wood panel
Egg yolk	Binder for tempera paint	Fresh egg yolk separated from white and membrane
Pigments (dry powder)	Color source	Artist-grade dry pigments or pre-mixed egg tempera paints
Distilled water	Diluent for tempera mixture	Distilled or filtered water
Gesso	Ground preparation for canvas	Acrylic gesso or rabbit-skin glue gesso
Sable brushes	Application of thin tempera layers	Small round sable brushes (sizes 0-4)
Charcoal or graphite	Underdrawing	Vine charcoal or soft graphite pencil

preparation

surface prep

Prepare the canvas by applying multiple layers of gesso to create a smooth, slightly absorbent surface. Tempera requires a rigid, non-flexible support and a ground that is not too glossy; traditional tempera was often applied on wood panels with gesso, but modern canvas can be used if properly primed and sealed. Ensure the surface is dry and free of dust before beginning the underdrawing.

underdrawing

Begin with a charcoal or graphite underdrawing. Sarian’s work often emphasized strong, simplified outlines and compositional balance rather than intricate botanical detail (Source 7). Focus on the arrangement of lines and spaces, treating the flowers as an irregular pattern rather than a realistic depiction (Source 1). Avoid confusing detail in the initial sketch; aim for firm, simple outlines that capture the character of the flowers (Source 1).

underpainting

Tempera is typically applied in thin, transparent layers, so a traditional underpainting (imprimatura) is less common than in oil painting. However, a neutral ground (such as a light gray or warm white) can help unify the final colors. If desired, apply a thin wash of diluted tempera to establish the general tonal values, but do not obscure the underdrawing completely.

color palette

Vibrant Reds

Red ochre, vermilion, or cadmium red mixed with egg yolk

Flower petals, consistent with Sarian’s use of bold, harmonious colors

Deep Greens

Viridian, emerald green, or sap green mixed with egg yolk

Leaves and stems, providing contrast to the flowers

Warm Yellows

Yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, or chrome yellow mixed with egg yolk

Highlights and secondary flower elements

Neutral Background

Raw umber, black, or gray mixed with egg yolk

Background or negative space, allowing the flowers to stand out

White

Lead white or titanium white mixed with egg yolk

Highlights and mixing to adjust value

composition

While the specific composition of 'Flowers of Kalaki' is not detailed in the sources, Sarian’s approach to floral subjects likely involved arranging lines and spaces to form a beautiful whole, rather than merely copying nature (Source 1). The composition should avoid disconnected groups or a small spray in the middle of a large space; instead, the main lines should cut the space effectively, creating a balanced line-scheme (Source 1). Sarian’s theater design work suggests an appreciation for decorative harmony and strong structural elements, which may influence the arrangement of the flowers (Source 6).

step by step

underdrawing→first pass→refining→finishing→varnishing

underdrawing

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the flowers and leaves using charcoal or graphite. Focus on the overall composition and the relationship between lines and spaces.
Tip — Avoid excessive detail; keep outlines firm and simple (Source 1).
Line composition

first pass

step 02
Mix pigments with egg yolk and a small amount of water to create a fluid consistency. Apply thin layers of paint to the largest areas first, such as the background or large leaves.
Tip — Tempera dries quickly, so work in small sections to avoid hard edges between strokes.
Tempera layering

refining

step 03
Build up the colors of the flowers and leaves in successive thin layers. Use lighter values for highlights and darker values for shadows. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
Tip — Do not overwork the paint; tempera is unforgiving once dry. Make corrections during the underdrawing stage if possible (Source 2).
Glazing

finishing

step 04
Add final details and highlights. Ensure that the color harmony is balanced, using complementary or analogous colors to create visual interest (Source 5).
Tip — Step back frequently to assess the overall effect and adjust any areas that feel unbalanced.
Color harmony

varnishing

step 05
Once the painting is completely dry (which may take several weeks), apply a protective varnish suitable for tempera, such as damar resin or a synthetic varnish.
Tip — Ensure the painting is fully cured to prevent trapping moisture under the varnish.
Varnishing

critical techniques

Egg Tempera Application

Mixing pigments with egg yolk and applying in thin, opaque or semi-transparent layers. This technique allows for precise detail and luminous color, consistent with Sarian’s graphic style.

Line Composition

Focusing on the arrangement of lines and spaces rather than botanical accuracy. This approach treats the flowers as an abstract pattern, emphasizing the structural beauty of the composition.

Color Harmony

Using complementary or analogous colors to create a pleasing visual effect. Sarian’s work often features bold, harmonious color schemes that reflect his interest in decorative arts.

common pitfalls

→Applying paint too thickly: Tempera is best applied in thin layers. Thick applications can crack or peel as the paint dries.
→Overworking the paint: Tempera dries quickly and cannot be easily blended. Make corrections during the underdrawing stage to avoid muddying the colors (Source 2).
→Ignoring the underdrawing: A strong, simple underdrawing is essential for a successful tempera painting. Do not skip this step or rush it (Source 1).
→Using incorrect binders: Ensure that the binder is egg yolk or a suitable substitute. Using oil or acrylic binders will result in a different medium with different properties (Source 3).

what the sources don't tell us

Where the corpus is silent, we say so rather than guess. These are the gaps a complete recreation guide would normally cover that our source passages don't.

·Specific visual details of 'Flowers of Kalaki' (e.g., exact flower types, background color, composition layout) are not described in the sources.
·Sarian’s specific tempera technique for this 1914 work is not detailed; the guide relies on general tempera practices and his broader artistic style.
·The exact palette used for this specific painting is unknown; the suggested colors are based on general tempera practices and Sarian’s known preference for bold colors.

grounded in

The technical procedure in this guide traces to the following classical art-instruction texts.

Composition — FLOWER COMPOSITIONS TWO VALUES↗
- Exercise — applied to Underdrawing and composition notes, emphasizing line and space over botanical detail
The Practice of Oil Painting — PAINTING FROM LIFE↗
- Painting from Life — applied to Warning against overworking paint and importance of underdrawing corrections

cross-referenced from

Named facts about this artwork and artist were checked against these reference pages.

Wikipedia: Tempera↗
- Tempera — part 1 — applied to Materials list and technique description for egg tempera
Wikipedia bio — Martiros Sarian↗
- Part 1 and Part 3 — applied to Artist’s general style, inspiration from nature, and theater design influence
Wikipedia: Harmony (color)↗
- Harmony (color) — part 1 — applied to Color palette and finishing steps, focusing on color harmony principles