plate no. 3938

Still Life with Red Bananas

Max Weber, 1909

oilExpressionismstill lifebananasapplesstill lifetablepotfruit

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict form using simple shapes and color variations, as well as how to create a sense of depth with limited color and value range.

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 of the still life, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the bananas, apples, and pot, using a limited palette of earth tones and primary colors.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and forms of the objects, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Develop the texture of the objects with visible brushstrokes, using a dry brush technique to create a rough, textured surface.
step 06
Mix subtle color variations to capture the nuances of light and shadow on the fruit and pot.
step 07
Add final details, such as the stems of the apples and the texture of the bananas.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix burnt sienna and black for the darker background tones. Use yellow ochre and white for the lighter areas of the pot and apples. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to the burnt sienna to create the red tones of the bananas.

techniques