plate no. 2814
Still life with bottle and shells
Mary Fedden, 2006
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and layering colors. Students can learn to create a cohesive composition using a limited palette and visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the bottle, shells, and table.
- step 02
Block in the background with light blue, adding flower shapes.
- step 03
Paint the table surface with a slightly darker blue, adding diamond shapes.
- step 04
Paint the bottle with a light beige/white, leaving some areas unpainted for texture.
- step 05
Add the lettering to the bottle with black paint.
- step 06
Paint the shells with their respective colors and details.
- step 07
Add details like the stripes on the small stones and the number on the shell.
- step 08
Refine edges and add final touches.
color palette
primary · light blue · white · beige
secondary · dark blue · red · brown · black
Mix light blue by adding white to a phthalo blue. Achieve beige by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·simplified shapes
- ·limited palette
- ·visible brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors
- →making the shapes too detailed
- →using too many colors
- →losing the simplicity of the composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·canvas or painting panel
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·water container
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Use a slightly textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility.
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