plate no. 8947
Still life Plums
Zakar Zakarian, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and form, as well as understanding how to depict reflected light and subtle color variations in a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the plums and the basket, paying attention to their arrangement and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, warm tone, allowing for variations in value to suggest depth.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the plums, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, and create a base layer for the basket.
- step 04
Begin layering paint on the plums to define their form and create highlights and shadows, focusing on the reflected light.
- step 05
Add details to the basket, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the woven material.
- step 06
Paint the plums on the table, paying attention to their color and shape.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows on all elements to enhance the sense of realism.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · sap green
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white
Achieve the plum colors by mixing greens and yellows with touches of brown and red. Use white to create highlights and lighten the overall tones.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for easy blending. Consider using a medium to improve the flow of the paint.
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