plate no. 8397

Still Life with Plums

Theo van Rysselberghe, 1926

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismstill lifeplumsfruitbowlpotstill lifetablecloth

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly for creating subtle variations in shadows and highlights, and in rendering rounded forms with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the pot, bowl, and plums, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the background pattern with broad strokes of color, focusing on the overall tones rather than precise details.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the pot and bowl, using a limited palette of earth tones and observing the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin painting the plums, layering different shades of purple, blue, and red to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Add highlights to the plums and other objects to create a sense of volume and form.
step 06
Paint the tablecloth, using subtle variations in color to suggest folds and wrinkles.
step 07
Refine the details of the composition, such as the edges of the objects and the texture of the background.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Mix ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson for the plum colors, adding white for highlights. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the pot and bowl, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques

·color layering
·blending
·scumbling
·rendering form with light and shadow
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them properly.
→Failing to observe the subtle variations in color and value.
→Not paying enough attention to the composition and the placement of the objects.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags