plate no. 0505

Peonies in a Chinese vase

oilPost-Impressionismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifepeoniesleavesbackground

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about expressive brushstrokes and color mixing to create a vibrant and textured surface. Students can practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and capturing the essence of the subject.

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 vase and flowers, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a base layer of red and orange, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the vase, using blues, whites, and hints of other colors for details.
step 04
Paint the flowers with pinks, whites, and touches of yellow, capturing the light and shadow.
step 05
Add the leaves and stems with greens and browns, varying the values to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the vase and flowers, adding highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
step 07
Develop the background texture with short, broken brushstrokes of various colors.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to create a cohesive and expressive painting.

color palette

primary · rose madder · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow light · viridian green

Mix various shades of pink by combining rose madder and titanium white. Achieve the background texture by layering reds, oranges, and yellows. Create the vase colors by mixing blues, whites, and small amounts of other colors.

techniques