plate no. 0619
Still Life with Rhododendron
Abbott Handerson Thayer, 1886
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflective surfaces and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the delicate texture of flower petals using broken color.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the bowl, flower, and table, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of browns and greens, varying the tones slightly.
- step 03
Block in the main values of the table, using light grays and creams, and indicating the cast shadow.
- step 04
Begin painting the bowl, focusing on capturing the reflective surface with subtle variations in grays, browns, and pinks.
- step 05
Start building up the flower petals, using light pinks, whites, and yellows, and applying broken color to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the flower, adding darker accents and highlights to define the petals.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · alizarin crimson
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · payne's gray
Achieve the subtle pinks by mixing alizarin crimson with titanium white. Create the reflective grays for the bowl by mixing burnt umber, titanium white, and a touch of payne's gray.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·value studies
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the flower petals, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the bowl, making it appear unrealistic.
- →Ignoring the importance of the background, which can flatten the overall composition.
- →Not paying attention to the reflected light on the table.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for subtle blending. Consider using a medium to speed up drying time.
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