plate no. 7715

Still Life Flowers in Vase

Maggie Laubser, 1913

oilRealismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifefoliagetable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing to achieve subtle variations in hues and values, as well as practice layering brushstrokes to build form and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase and flower arrangement, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of warm beige and brown tones.
step 03
Establish the main color masses of the vase using dark and light greens, indicating highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin painting the flowers, starting with the darker purple and blue tones in the shadows.
step 05
Add lighter blues and purples to the flowers, building up layers of color and detail.
step 06
Paint the green foliage, using a mix of greens and yellows to create variation.
step 07
Refine the details of the flowers and vase, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · purple

Mix blues and purples with white to create lighter shades for the flowers. Use yellow and blue to create different shades of green for the foliage. Mix burnt umber with white and a touch of red for the background.

techniques