plate no. 1327

Magnolias

Frida Kahlo, 1945

oil, masoniteNaïve Art (Primitivism)still lifemagnoliasflowersstill lifevaseleaves

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create subtle tonal variations and understanding how light interacts with curved surfaces to create form. Students will also practice rendering botanical subjects with accuracy.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the vase, flowers, and leaves, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of color.
step 03
Begin layering the darkest values on the leaves and within the shadows of the flowers.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones on the flowers, using subtle color variations to suggest form.
step 05
Add the highlights to the flowers, being careful not to make them too bright or stark.
step 06
Paint the details of the vase, including the black markings.
step 07
Refine the edges of the flowers and leaves, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
step 08
Add final details, such as the veins in the leaves and the texture of the flower centers.

color palette

primary · titanium white · sap green · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · ivory black · cadmium yellow

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the subtle variations in the white petals. Use a mix of sap green and burnt umber for the darker greens of the leaves, adding yellow ochre for the lighter, yellowed leaves.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Making the highlights too bright and unnatural.
→Failing to capture the subtle tonal variations in the white petals.
→Not paying attention to the edges of the forms, resulting in a flat, lifeless image.