plate no. 8355

Still life with brushes

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifebrushesvasetableclothpainting box

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in observing and mixing subtle color variations and in capturing the texture and form of everyday objects using visible brushstrokes.

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, focusing on the placement of the vase, brushes, and painting box.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up the color and form of the vase, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Add the details of the brushes, using varied brushstrokes to capture their texture.
step 05
Develop the painting box and surrounding objects, focusing on their form and relationship to the light source.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adding subtle variations and details.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green

Mix various shades of brown and yellow by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use small amounts of red and green to create subtle color variations and shadows.

techniques