plate no. 9761
Gathering the Flowers
Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky, 1924
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in the foliage and figures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the flower bed.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, background foliage, figures' clothing, and flowers.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, focusing on the light and shadow on their faces and clothing.
- step 04
Develop the flower bed, layering different shades of green and orange to create depth and texture.
- step 05
Refine the background foliage, using broken brushstrokes to suggest the leaves and branches.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the entire painting to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust color temperatures.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cadmium orange · viridian · alizarin crimson
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw umber
Mix various greens by combining viridian with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue. Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre. Vary the orange by adding touches of alizarin crimson or yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
- →Getting lost in details too early.
- →Not varying brushstrokes enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
optional
- ·palette
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting thinner
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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