plate no. 8674

Stillleben mit Madonna

Gabriele Munter, 1911

oilExpressionismstill lifestill lifeflowersstatuetablevasefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing and layering, as well as understanding how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject rather than photorealistic detail.

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 composition of the still life, focusing on the placement of the objects.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green, varying the tones slightly to create depth.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the table, statue, and vases, using thin washes to build up the layers.
step 04
Add the foliage and flowers, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall color relationships.
step 05
Refine the details of the statue and vases, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Develop the texture of the table surface with visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · green · red · pink · blue

secondary · yellow · purple · brown

Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow and blue with small amounts of white or brown. Create the pinks by mixing red and white, and adjust the intensity with small amounts of yellow or blue.

techniques