plate no. 0381

Still Life: Teapot with Flowers and Fruit

John Duncan Fergusson, 1912

oilFauvismstill lifestill lifeflowersfruitteapotkitchenware

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in color mixing and understanding how to create a sense of depth through color and value.

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, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for each object and the background, using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin adding thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 04
Mix and apply highlights and shadows to create depth and volume, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Define the outlines of the objects with darker colors to emphasize their shapes.
step 06
Add details to the flowers and fruit, using small brushstrokes and variations in color.
step 07
Refine the background and foreground, adding subtle color variations and textures.
step 08
Step back and make any final adjustments to the composition, color balance, and overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · rose madder

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, blue, and a touch of red or umber. Achieve the flower colors by mixing white with red and yellow, adjusting the proportions for different hues.

techniques