plate no. 7343
Still Life with Lamp
Margit Selska, 1970
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in simplifying complex forms and using bold brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also helps develop skills in color mixing and understanding how colors interact with each other.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the lamp, vase, bowl, and window using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the background colors: the blue of the window, the green of the wall, and the dark area behind the flowers.
- step 03
Paint the main colors of the lamp, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
- step 04
Add the base colors for the flowers and leaves, using a mix of greens and yellows.
- step 05
Paint the pattern on the tablecloth, using a combination of pinks, blues, and purples.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and colors of the flowers, adding details and highlights.
- step 07
Add details to the lamp, such as the handle and the glass.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive composition.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · burnt umber
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Achieve the pinks and purples for the tablecloth by mixing alizarin crimson with white and ultramarine blue, respectively. Use white to lighten the blues and yellows for the lamp and flowers.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Not paying attention to the color relationships between the objects.
- →Making the colors too saturated or too dull.
- →Struggling with the pattern on the tablecloth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·flat brush (size 10)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
optional
- ·easel
- ·apron
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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