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home·artworks·Lilacs in a Glass, Apple and Lemon
Lilacs in a Glass, Apple and Lemon by Meijer de Haan

plate no. 1467

Lilacs in a Glass, Apple and Lemon

Meijer de Haan, 1890

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifelilacsglassapplelemonstill lifeflowers
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and creating form with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations within shadows and highlights.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the still life.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main areas of color: background, flowers, leaves, fruit, and glass.

  3. step 03

    Begin adding layers of color to the background, using short, broken brushstrokes.

  4. step 04

    Develop the form of the flowers by layering different shades of pink, purple, and white.

  5. step 05

    Paint the leaves with dark greens and blacks, paying attention to the shapes and edges.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the glass, using blues, purples, and whites to create a sense of transparency.

  7. step 07

    Paint the apple and lemon, focusing on their form and color variations.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of pink and purple for the lilacs by combining alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Create greens by mixing ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow.

techniques

  • ·broken color
  • ·impasto
  • ·scumbling
  • ·color layering
  • ·visible brushstrokes

common pitfalls

  • →over-blending colors
  • →ignoring subtle color variations
  • →not capturing the texture of the brushstrokes
  • →getting the proportions wrong

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
  • ·oil paints
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·varnish
  • ·easel

Use a medium-tooth canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →color theory for painters →how to learn by studying the masters →
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