plate no. 3509

Still life with African pot

Irma Stern, 1936

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifefishlemonspotterybottletablecloth

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly for achieving realistic skin tones and reflective surfaces, as well as practicing visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the still life, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme and value relationships.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, focusing on the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
step 04
Mix colors on the palette to match the observed hues, paying attention to subtle variations in tone and temperature.
step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and form, following the contours of the objects.
step 06
Refine the details, such as the scales of the fish, the texture of the pottery, and the highlights on the lemons.
step 07
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix greens by blending blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Achieve the silvery sheen of the fish by layering blues, greens, and whites.

techniques