plate no. 7240

Still Life

William Scott, 1949

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifefruittablewindowcupplate

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students can learn to represent form with minimal detail and visible brushstrokes.

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 and composition, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, table, and main objects.
step 03
Add the darker tones to define shadows and create depth.
step 04
Introduce the lighter tones to highlight forms and create contrast.
step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the objects, paying attention to the artist's simplified style.
step 06
Add details like the fruit and the window frame.
step 07
Adjust colors and values as needed to match the original painting.
step 08
Add final brushstrokes to enhance texture and visual interest.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · black · burnt sienna

Mix blues and white for the window. Use raw umber and white for the table. Mix yellow ochre with a touch of raw umber for the yellow fruit. Use ultramarine blue and black for the dark fruit.

techniques