plate no. 1726

Japanese Flower

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1913

oilJaponismstill lifestill lifeflowersvaseteapotfigurefruit

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified forms, bold color choices, and expressive brushwork to create a dynamic still life. Students will also learn to balance warm and cool colors to create visual interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the still life.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the table.
step 03
Define the shapes of the vase, flowers, teapot, and figure with bold brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the flowers and fruit, using contrasting colors to create depth.
step 05
Refine the edges and shapes of the objects, paying attention to the negative space.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Use thicker paint to create texture and visual interest.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · red · green · yellow · black

secondary · blue · orange

Mix various shades of red by adding small amounts of yellow, orange, or black. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the shade by adding red or black.

techniques

·blocking in
·impasto
·color mixing
·expressive brushwork
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified forms.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the negative space and creating a cluttered composition.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the colors.