plate no. 2479

Still Life (quince and pear)

Balthus, 1956

watercolor, paperExpressionismstill lifefruitstill lifequincepeartable

suitable for beginners

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice watercolor blending and layering to create subtle color variations and realistic form. Students can also learn about creating soft shadows and highlights to give the fruit a three-dimensional appearance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outlines of the fruit and the table surface.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of yellow as the base color for the fruit.
step 03
Layer in shadows using diluted browns and greens, focusing on the areas furthest from the light source.
step 04
Add highlights with slightly lighter washes of yellow and white, paying attention to the curves of the fruit.
step 05
Use short, broken strokes to create texture on the fruit's surface.
step 06
Paint the leaf with a mix of greens and yellows, adding subtle shadows.
step 07
Add a faint shadow beneath the fruit to ground them on the table.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of raw umber to create the base color for the fruit. Use burnt sienna and sap green for shadows. Add a touch of cadmium red light to the smaller fruit for warmth.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·dry brushing
·blending
·lifting

common pitfalls

→Using too much water, which can make the colors run and muddy.
→Overworking the painting, which can result in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Not paying attention to the light source, which can lead to inconsistent shadows.
→Making the initial sketch too dark, which can show through the watercolor layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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