plate no. 7092

Pansies

Henri Catargi, 1974

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifeplantflowerspottablestill lifeleaves

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and capturing the texture of leaves and petals with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to study color temperature and how it creates depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the pot, plant, and table.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of color, focusing on the transitions between warm and cool tones.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the leaves and flowers with dark greens and blues.
step 04
Add highlights and shadows to the leaves to create volume and dimension.
step 05
Paint the pot and saucer, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the details of the flowers, adding small touches of yellow and purple.
step 07
Add details to the table surface, capturing the wood grain and highlights.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · dark green · blue-violet · brown · tan

secondary · yellow · orange · light green · teal

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the temperature with touches of red or brown. Create the violet hues by mixing blues and reds, and lighten with white.

techniques