plate no. 2991

Still life hyacinths carpet

August Macke, 1910

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifeflowersfruitcarpetvasetable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex patterns and using bold, expressive brushstrokes to define form and texture. It also provides practice in color mixing and creating a sense of depth through color temperature.

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 of the still life onto the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, carpet, and main objects (vase, bowl, plant pot).
step 03
Start defining the shapes of the fruits and the details of the carpet pattern, using simplified shapes and bold colors.
step 04
Add details to the vase and plant, focusing on capturing the essential forms and colors.
step 05
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to color and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow · red · blue · green

secondary · orange · white · black · purple

Mix various shades of green by combining blue and yellow, and add white or black to adjust the value. Create orange by mixing red and yellow. Achieve the purple hues by mixing red and blue.

techniques