plate no. 9405

Still Life With Seashell

Henri Catargi, 1972

oilPost-Impressionismstill lifestill lifeseashellfruitfantable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding how to represent textures with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes into basic forms.

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 placement of the seashell, fruit, and fan on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background and tabletop with thin washes of color, paying attention to the overall light and shadow.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the seashell, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding lighter tones to build form.
step 04
Paint the fruit using a similar layering technique, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 05
Add the fan, paying attention to the details of its structure and the patterns on its surface.
step 06
Refine the background and tabletop, adding details and adjusting the colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensional effect of the objects.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and details.

color palette

primary · orange · yellow ochre · brown · green

secondary · red · white · black

Mix oranges by blending red and yellow. Achieve the tabletop color by mixing yellow ochre with white and a touch of brown. Greens can be created by mixing blues and yellows, and adjusting with white or brown for different shades.

techniques