plate no. 9323

Le chou-fleur

Pierre Roy, 1931

oilMagic Realismstill lifestill lifecaulifloweronionsgarlicwooden crosstable

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice rendering realistic textures and forms, as well as understanding subtle color variations in natural objects. Students can develop skills in layering and blending to achieve smooth transitions and create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the cross and the vegetables.
step 02
Block in the background sky with light blue, blending the color variations.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the wooden cross, table, and vegetables.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to define the forms and create highlights and shadows.
step 05
Focus on rendering the texture of the cauliflower, using small brushstrokes and varying shades of white and green.
step 06
Add details to the onions and garlic, paying attention to their shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the details on the table surface, including the marble pattern and the small snails.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism and depth of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cerulean blue · cadmium red

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber to create the cauliflower's creamy tones. Combine cadmium red and raw umber for the onions. Use cerulean blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre for the sky.

techniques