plate no. 9452

St Pancras Lilies

Paul Nash, 1927

oilExpressionismflower paintingflowersvasearchitecturebuildingwindowsstill life

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and volume. It's also a good exercise in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the vase, flowers, and architectural background, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background buildings using simplified shapes and muted tones.
step 03
Establish the basic form of the vase with a mid-tone brown, then add darker shadows and lighter highlights to create volume.
step 04
Begin painting the lilies, using white mixed with small amounts of other colors (yellow, green, gray) to create subtle variations in tone and form.
step 05
Add the green stems and leaves, paying attention to their placement and how they interact with the flowers.
step 06
Refine the details of the architectural elements, such as windows and arches, using small brushstrokes and varying tones.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and form.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to color, value, or composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna · gray

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix white with small amounts of yellow, green, and gray to create the subtle variations in the lilies. Use burnt umber and raw sienna for the vase, adding white for highlights and black for shadows. Muted blues and grays are used for the background buildings.

techniques