plate no. 0223

Pomegranate and Quince

Avigdor Arikha, 1978

oilContemporary Realismstill lifepomegranatequincefruitstill lifeshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes and observing subtle color variations in natural forms. It also provides practice in rendering realistic shapes and shadows.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outlines of the pomegranate and quince, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Apply a very diluted wash of light gray or blue to indicate the shadows on the background.
step 03
Begin with the pomegranate, applying a light wash of red as the base color.
step 04
Layer progressively darker shades of red and hints of purple to build up the form and create depth.
step 05
For the quince, start with a light wash of yellow-green.
step 06
Add layers of green, brown, and yellow to capture the complex surface texture and variations in color.
step 07
Refine the details and edges of both fruits, adding small touches of darker colors to define the shapes.
step 08
Adjust the shadows to ground the fruits and create a sense of three-dimensionality.

color palette

primary · red · green · yellow

secondary · purple · brown · gray

Achieve the pomegranate's color by mixing various shades of red with hints of purple and brown. For the quince, mix yellow and green with touches of brown and gray to create a muted, natural tone.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·glazing
·dry brush
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Making the shadows too dark and overpowering.
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (red, green, yellow, brown, purple, gray)
·Watercolor brushes (round, sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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