plate no. 1030
Still life with pears and onions
Mary Fedden, 1992
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. It also encourages experimentation with slightly visible brushstrokes to add texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the objects on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background areas with flat colors, paying attention to the geometric patterns.
- step 03
Paint the white plate, establishing its shape and position.
- step 04
Begin painting the larger fruits and vegetables, focusing on their basic colors and shapes.
- step 05
Add details to the flower, including the petals and stem.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and colors of all the objects, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add details to the onions, including the roots.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · white · black · red · green
secondary · yellow · purple · brown · grey
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow and blue. Create purple by mixing red and blue. Achieve the muted tones in the background by mixing white with small amounts of black, grey, and brown.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·shape simplification
- ·color mixing
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes of the objects.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring the geometric patterns in the background.
- →Not paying attention to the placement of the objects on the plate.
- →Failing to simplify the details of the flower.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints (white, black, red, green, yellow, purple, brown)
- ·assorted paint brushes (flat and round)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·ruler
Use good quality acrylic paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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