plate no. 3821
Still Life
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for learning about simplifying forms and using bold, expressive brushstrokes. Students can practice color mixing to achieve the vibrant hues and explore the relationship between objects in a still life arrangement.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the objects on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, table, and objects.
- step 03
Define the shapes of the bottles, pitcher, and container with thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add the details like the bottle caps, labels, and the rim of the pitcher.
- step 05
Paint the rainbow shape in the background, using distinct bands of color.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the objects and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add the yellow stripe on the table edge.
- step 08
Let the painting dry and add a final layer of varnish if desired.
color palette
primary · red · green · blue · orange
secondary · yellow · white · brown · pink
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations by adding white or black. Achieve the orange table by mixing red and yellow, adjusting the ratio for different shades.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·impasto
- ·color mixing
- ·simplifying forms
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Not achieving the correct color saturation.
- →Making the brushstrokes too uniform and losing the expressive quality.
- →Incorrect proportions of objects.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints (red, green, blue, orange, yellow, white, brown)
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting varnish
- ·rags
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for bold brushstrokes. Consider using fast-drying acrylics for quicker results.
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