plate no. 2169

Still Life with Roses and Mandolin

oilRealismstill liferosesmandolinstill lifetablepitcherglass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures, creating depth through subtle value changes, and capturing the form of complex objects like flowers and musical instruments. It's a good exercise in observing and translating subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the roses, mandolin, and other objects.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of warm, muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the roses, using a range of creams, yellows, and whites.
step 04
Define the form of the mandolin with darker values and warm browns.
step 05
Add details to the pitcher and glasses, capturing their reflective surfaces.
step 06
Refine the shapes and values of the roses, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add smaller details like the strings of the mandolin and the petals scattered on the table.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and unified composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the subtle variations in the roses by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw sienna, and alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create muted greens for the foliage.

techniques