plate no. 8395

Geraniums

oil, canvasRealismflower paintingflowershydrangeasgeraniumsfenceleavesgarden

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and form, and in rendering the textures of flowers and foliage using varied brushstrokes. Students can also learn about creating a sense of light and shadow within a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the fence, flowers, and leaves, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the background colors, establishing the overall light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin layering the colors for the fence, using darker blues and greens in the shadows and lighter shades where the light hits.
step 04
Start building up the flower heads, using small, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the petals.
step 05
Add the leaves, varying the shades of green to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Introduce the geraniums and other colorful flowers, paying attention to their placement and color relationships.
step 07
Refine the details of the fence, flowers, and leaves, adding highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Sap green · Rose madder

secondary · Cadmium red · Cadmium orange · Ultramarine blue · Yellow ochre

Mix white with blues and greens to create the various shades of the fence. Combine reds and yellows for the geraniums. Use white to lighten the hydrangeas and create highlights.

techniques

·Layering
·Broken brushstrokes
·Color mixing
·Scumbling
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a clear light source and shadow pattern.
→Neglecting the color relationships between the different elements of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Titanium white, Sap green, Rose madder, Cadmium red, Cadmium orange, Ultramarine blue, Yellow ochre)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags