plate no. 7782

Pears, Peaches, and Pitcher

Arshile Gorky, 1927

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifefruitpitcherpearspeachestable

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in observing subtle color variations in everyday objects and using visible brushstrokes to build form. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes into basic geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the pitcher, plate, and fruit, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the background and tabletop with broad, loose strokes of muted greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the general colors of the fruit (yellows, greens, reds) and the pitcher (off-white/beige).
step 04
Begin layering colors to create form and volume, using short, visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Pay attention to the highlights and shadows on each object to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Mix subtle variations of color to capture the nuances of the fruit and pitcher.
step 07
Refine the edges of the objects and add details like the stem of the pears.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall impression.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · sap green

secondary · cadmium red light · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Achieve the off-white of the pitcher by mixing titanium white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre.

techniques