plate no. 5841

Still life with plant, lemon and orange

Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1906

canvas, temperaPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifeorangelemonflowersplanttable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in simplifying forms and capturing the essence of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall color scheme.
step 03
Build up layers of color, gradually adding more detail and definition to the objects.
step 04
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and add interest to the painting.
step 05
Pay attention to the edges of the objects, varying the sharpness and softness.
step 06
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve subtle variations and blends.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.

color palette

primary · red · green · blue · yellow

secondary · purple · brown · white

Achieve the reds by mixing a cadmium red with a touch of brown. The greens are a mix of viridian and yellow ochre. Browns are achieved by mixing burnt umber with red or yellow.

techniques