plate no. 4317

Lotus Lilies

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigureswater liliesboatwaterlandscapeumbrella

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in light and shadow, as well as capturing the subtle color variations in a complex natural scene. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, boat, and major lily pads.
step 02
Establish the background landscape with broad strokes of muted greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 04
Begin adding details to the figures' clothing, using lighter values for areas in sunlight and darker values for shadows.
step 05
Paint the lily pads and flowers, varying the colors and values to create depth and realism.
step 06
Add reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes to suggest movement.
step 07
Refine the details of the faces and hands, paying attention to the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · viridian green · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of green by blending viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Create muted browns by mixing burnt umber with ultramarine blue and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the creamy whites by gradually adding titanium white to yellow ochre and a touch of ultramarine.

techniques