plate no. 6740

Girl in Blue Arranging Flowers

Frederick Carl Frieseke, 1915

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigureflowersmirrorstill lifeinteriordress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections and capturing the impressionistic style through loose brushwork and color mixing. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and floral arrangements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mirror, and still life elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's dress and skin tones, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering colors and adding details to the flowers, focusing on capturing their texture and form.
step 05
Refine the reflections in the mirror, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 06
Add details to the still life elements, such as the plate and pitcher.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and refine the brushwork to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine blue and titanium white. Create muted greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use alizarin crimson and yellow ochre to create the pinks and oranges in the flowers.

techniques