plate no. 2888

Still life with porcelain figurines and roses

Serge Sudeikin, 1909

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifefigurinesrosesvasesporcelainflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow on different surfaces. It also provides practice in rendering complex shapes and forms with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly onto the canvas, paying attention to the placement of the vases, figurines, and flowers.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of color, establishing the overall tone and mood.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the vases, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding lighter highlights.
step 04
Paint the roses, focusing on capturing the delicate petals and subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the figurines, paying attention to the intricate patterns and textures of their clothing.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the gold accents on the vases and the subtle reflections on the porcelain.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and shapes.

color palette

primary · cobalt blue · rose madder · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · titanium white · cadmium red light

Achieve the blues by mixing cobalt blue with white and a touch of burnt umber for shadows. The rose colors are achieved by mixing rose madder with white and touches of red or pink. The gold is achieved by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and white.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the roses and vases.
→Creating a flat, lifeless composition by neglecting the highlights and shadows.
→Not establishing a clear focal point and allowing the eye to wander aimlessly.