plate no. 7802

Still life with Red Cabbage, Copper, Cauliflower and Cabbage

Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1921

oil, canvasExpressionismstill lifestill lifevegetablescoppercabbagecauliflowercloth

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures, particularly the reflective surface of the copper and the varied textures of the vegetables. It also provides practice in creating depth through layering and value contrast.

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, paying attention to the placement of the objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of each object, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and form, starting with the shadows.
step 05
Add highlights to the copper pot to create a sense of reflectivity.
step 06
Develop the textures of the vegetables, using varied brushstrokes and color variations.
step 07
Refine the details of the cloth, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · viridian · cadmium red

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve the copper color by mixing burnt umber, cadmium red, and yellow ochre, adding white for highlights. Mix greens by combining viridian and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to darken shadows.

techniques

·layering
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations within each object.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, viridian, cadmium red, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits