plate no. 6421
Still life with lemon, orange and tomato
Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1903
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use color to create volume. It also provides practice in depicting textures and subtle color variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the plate and the fruits, paying attention to their relative sizes and placement.
- step 02
Block in the background and tabletop with broad strokes, establishing the overall color scheme.
- step 03
Apply the base colors for each fruit: yellow for the lemon, orange for the orange, and red for the tomato.
- step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the fruits to create a sense of depth and volume.
- step 05
Paint the details of the plate, including the rim and the decorative elements.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, blending and layering as needed.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights on the fruits and the shadows on the tabletop.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · sap green
Mix various shades of orange by combining cadmium orange with alizarin crimson and yellow ochre. Create muted greens by mixing yellow ochre with ultramarine blue and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original painting.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and volume.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations within each fruit.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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