plate no. 4858
Still Life with Red Flowers
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing color mixing and creating a sense of depth through layering. Students will also learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the objects.
- step 02
Block in the background and the main colors of the tablecloth.
- step 03
Paint the vase and flowers, focusing on the overall shapes and colors.
- step 04
Add the apples, clock, and book, paying attention to their individual colors and forms.
- step 05
Refine the details of each object, such as the patterns on the vase and the details of the clock face.
- step 06
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · red · yellow · blue · white
secondary · green · brown · gray
Mix reds and yellows to create the orange hues of the flowers and apples. Use blue and white to create the cool tones of the vase and shadows.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·simplifying forms
- ·creating depth
- ·visible brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →overworking details
- →muddying colors
- →incorrect proportions
- →ignoring the overall composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·canvas 12x16
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
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