plate no. 2124
Still Life with Fruit and Flowers
Mary Fedden, 1988
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the flowers, fruit, vase, and table.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of muted browns and grays.
- step 03
Paint the table with a light gray or off-white, defining its edges.
- step 04
Add the vase using simple vertical strokes, suggesting its transparency.
- step 05
Paint the fruit with a base layer of green, then add highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Block in the main colors of the flowers: red, yellow, white, and pink.
- step 07
Add details to the flowers, such as petals and centers, using thicker paint.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add final touches to the composition.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · sap green
secondary · burnt umber · magenta · black · gray
Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Create muted browns by mixing umber with white and a touch of red or yellow. Achieve the pinks by mixing red and white.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·simplifying shapes
- ·color mixing
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
- ·varnish
Use heavy body acrylics for better texture. A medium can be used to slow drying time.
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