plate no. 5676

Sketch for Fire Flower Mosaique

Alla Horska, 1960

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)sketch and studyabstractgeometric shapesstarsflowersornamentspatterns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in geometric composition, color blocking, and creating patterns within shapes. It also encourages experimentation with color combinations and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main geometric shapes: the central star, the surrounding triangles, and the background elements.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of the background color (tan/beige) to the entire canvas.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color within the central star and triangles, starting with the darkest colors (black, dark blue).
step 04
Add the secondary colors (red, green, orange) to the central shapes, focusing on clean edges.
step 05
Paint the radiating lines emanating from the central star, alternating between white, light blue, and light green.
step 06
Create the smaller star and flower ornaments in the background, using a variety of colors and patterns.
step 07
Add details and patterns within the larger shapes, such as the dots, lines, and smaller geometric forms.
step 08
Refine the edges and add any final touches to balance the composition.

color palette

primary · black · red · blue · tan

secondary · green · orange · white · yellow

Mix lighter shades of blue and green by adding white to the primary colors. Achieve the tan background by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and white.

techniques