plate no. 7598

Still Life

Margit Selska, 1967

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifeflowerspine conestablestriped clothvase

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create texture and understand how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the table, vase, flowers, pine cones, and cloth.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: yellow for the background and table, black for the vase and background shadows, white for the cloth stripes.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the texture of the wood grain in the background and table.
step 04
Add details to the flowers and pine cones, focusing on the shapes and patterns.
step 05
Refine the stripes on the cloth, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Use short, visible brushstrokes to enhance the textural quality of the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · black · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium orange · sap green

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber to create the darker wood tones. Use white to lighten the yellow and create highlights. Mix small amounts of cadmium orange into the pine cones to add warmth.

techniques