plate no. 2912

Still Life with Can

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifepitcherfruitbowlstableabstract

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice simplifying shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture. Students will also learn about color mixing to achieve muted tones and create a sense of depth.

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 of the pitcher, bowls, and fruit, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of yellow ochre, leaving some areas for lighter and darker variations.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the table and the pitcher's shadow using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 04
Mix a range of gray tones for the pitcher by combining white, black, and a touch of yellow ochre or burnt umber.
step 05
Paint the fruit using reds and oranges, adding small touches of green for highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the bowls, including the blue and white patterns.
step 07
Refine the brushstrokes and edges to create a sense of texture and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve the muted grays by mixing white, black, and small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt umber. Create the background by mixing yellow ochre with white for highlights and a touch of burnt umber for shadows.

techniques