plate no. 2296
Fruit in the Grass
Prudence Heward, 1939
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding how to depict the textures of different natural elements. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes into basic forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition of the fruit and foliage.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, grass, and leaves.
- step 03
Add the base colors for the fruit (peaches and grapes).
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the fruit to create highlights and shadows, defining their form.
- step 05
Add details to the leaves, varying the greens and adding highlights.
- step 06
Paint the individual grapes, paying attention to their roundness and highlights.
- step 07
Add details to the grass, using short brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and harmony.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · crimson · raw umber
secondary · lemon yellow · viridian · cadmium red · titanium white
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green, and adjust with white or raw umber for variations. Achieve peach tones by blending crimson, yellow ochre, and white. Use raw umber and white to create the neutral tones in the grass and background.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which can flatten the image.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the leaves and fruit.
- →Getting the proportions of the fruit incorrect.
- →Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
- ·Easel
Use good quality paints for better color saturation and longevity. Pre-prime the canvas with gesso for a smoother surface.
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