plate no. 2258
Plums
Patrick Henry Bruce, 1912
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for subtle variations and how to create form using blocks of color. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject with simplified shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the plums and the tablecloth.
- step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the plums, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
- step 04
Begin refining the shapes and adding subtle color variations within each plum.
- step 05
Paint the tablecloth, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Add highlights to the plums and tablecloth to create depth.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the plums and tablecloth to create a sense of form.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow green · light purple · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · white
Mix greens with yellow ochre and a touch of purple for the plums. Use white and purple for the tablecloth, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Create the background with a mix of burnt sienna, purple, and white.
techniques
- ·blocking
- ·color mixing
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, losing the broken color effect.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle shifts in color within each plum.
- →Ignoring the shadows and highlights, resulting in a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Painting medium
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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