plate no. 4107

Giuliana and the Sunflowers

Jamie Wyeth, 1987

oil, panelContemporary Realismgenre paintingfiguressunflowersfieldskylandscapeplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as capturing realistic figures in a landscape setting. Students will also learn to create texture using varied brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figures, sunflowers, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, focusing on the warm yellow and orange hues.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the field and distant trees, using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the sunflower stalks with dark browns and blacks, paying attention to their angles and placement.
step 05
Add the sunflower heads, capturing their texture and detail with small, deliberate strokes.
step 06
Develop the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details like clothing and facial features.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the realism and visual interest.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange

Achieve the warm sky colors by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark browns and blacks for the sunflower stalks.

techniques