plate no. 9800
Lilies
Matthew Smith, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive brushstrokes and color mixing to achieve a vibrant and textured surface. Students can also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and capture the essence of the subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase, flowers, and background lines.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: blue for the background, red/brown for the vase, and white/pink for the flowers.
- step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and contours of the vase and flowers.
- step 04
Introduce secondary colors and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to build up texture and visual interest.
- step 06
Refine the details of the flowers and leaves, paying attention to their unique shapes and colors.
- step 07
Add the pink lines in the background.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the color balance and overall composition.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · sap green · burnt umber · pink
Mix different shades of blue by adding white or a touch of green. Create pink by mixing red and white. Use burnt umber to darken the vase and add shadows.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the vase and flowers.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-grain canvas to enhance the texture of the painting. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
