plate no. 0422

Poppies

Richard Diebenkorn, 1963

oilExpressionismstill lifeflowersglasstablestill lifebackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, creating depth with limited colors, and capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise details. It also encourages exploration of expressive brushstrokes.

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 table, glass, and flowers, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with dark blues and blacks, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the table surface with a mid-tone gray, varying the pressure to create texture.
step 04
Paint the base of the table with a darker blue, blending it into the gray.
step 05
Add the flowers with thick strokes of yellow and orange, capturing their general form.
step 06
Paint the glass using grays and whites to suggest transparency and reflections.
step 07
Add the stripes on the right side of the table.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create depth and visual interest.

color palette

primary · black · yellow · blue

secondary · white · orange · gray

Achieve the dark background by mixing black with ultramarine blue. Create the table surface by mixing black and white, adding small amounts of blue or brown for variation. Mix the flower colors by combining yellow with orange and white.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing and creating subtle variations.
→Not paying attention to the proportions and placement of the objects.
→Making the background too uniform and flat.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (black, white, yellow, blue, orange)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Rags or paper towels

optional

·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic medium)
·Easel
·Varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Acrylic paints are recommended for beginners due to their quick drying time and ease of cleanup.

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