plate no. 3308

Still Life with Lemons

Moise Kisling, 1917

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifefruitpitchertableclothcurtainplate

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, as well as develop skills in rendering form with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, tablecloth, pitcher, and fruit.
step 03
Begin layering colors to define the forms of the pitcher and fruit, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Add details to the tablecloth, including the stripes and fringe.
step 05
Refine the background, adding depth and texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the fruit and leaves on the plate, focusing on color variations and highlights.
step 07
Add the dark berries, paying attention to their placement and form.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and details to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of yellow, red, and blue to create the off-white color of the pitcher. Use red and yellow to create the orange tones of the fruit, and blue and yellow for the greens of the leaves. Burnt umber and black are used for shadows and details.

techniques