plate no. 9920

Sunflowers in Blue Vase

Maggie Laubser, 1940

oilExpressionismflower paintingsunflowersvaseleavesstill lifetable

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. Students can also learn about color mixing to achieve realistic greens and blues.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the sunflowers, vase, and leaves, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a light gray-blue, using broad strokes.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the vase with a mix of blue and brown.
step 04
Paint the sunflower petals with a base layer of yellow, then add highlights and shadows.
step 05
Mix different shades of green for the leaves, layering colors to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the center of the sunflowers, using browns, greens, and blacks.
step 07
Refine the shapes and edges of the objects, adding highlights and shadows as needed.
step 08
Add final details like the reflection on the table and the artist's signature.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · sap green · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · cerulean blue

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue, adding white to lighten. Achieve the vase's color by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt umber. Use white to create highlights and lighten colors.

techniques