plate no. 2379

Girl With Flowers

Stefan Caltia, 2005

oilMagic Realismgenre paintingfigureflowerspitcherdressdark backgroundfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice rendering figures with simple forms and creating depth through value contrast and subtle color variations. It also provides an opportunity to explore texture and detail in specific areas, like the flowers and pitcher.

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, pitcher, and foliage.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, the figure's dress, the foliage, and the ground.
step 03
Establish the value structure by adding darker shadows and lighter highlights to create form.
step 04
Refine the details of the figure, including the face, hands, and dress folds.
step 05
Add details to the pitcher, focusing on its shape and decorative elements.
step 06
Paint the flowers, using small brushstrokes to create texture and variation.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to achieve the desired mood.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the painting's realism and visual interest.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ivory black · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · titanium white · yellow ochre

Mix various greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Achieve darker tones by adding ivory black and burnt umber. Use cadmium red light for the flowers, mixed with white for lighter shades.

techniques