plate no. 4795
Sunflower
Arthur Segal, 1940
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and learning to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the sunflower, vase, and leaves, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark brown, establishing the overall value.
- step 03
Apply a base coat of yellow ochre for the sunflower center and a light blue for the petals.
- step 04
Add darker values to the sunflower center using burnt umber and lighter values with yellow.
- step 05
Layer shades of blue and white to create the petal variations, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the leaves with varying shades of green, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Render the vase with grays and whites to suggest its cylindrical form.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · sap green · payne's gray
Mix different shades of blue by adding white or ultramarine to the base blue. Create the greens by mixing blue and yellow ochre. Browns are achieved by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle value changes in the petals.
- →Making the background too light, which will flatten the image.
- →Losing the form of the flower by overworking the details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt umber, sap green)
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the colors and add depth.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
