plate no. 7574

The flower seller

oil, canvasNaturalismgenre paintingfigureflowersstreet scenebuildingscarfbasket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice figure painting, including proportions and rendering clothing folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in a simple outdoor scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the basket, the background wall and street.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background: the wall, the street, and the distant figures.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the figure: the face, scarf, dress, and basket.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing, using a combination of blending and layering.
step 06
Paint the flowers in the basket, focusing on capturing their overall shape and color.
step 07
Add details to the basket weave and the surrounding environment.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · sap green

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine with white and small amounts of black or burnt sienna. Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt sienna and black for the darker areas of the clothing and background.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the figure incorrect.
→Making the colors too saturated or unrealistic.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·titanium white oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·odorless mineral spirits
·medium gloss

Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt sienna) to help establish the overall color harmony.

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