plate no. 9039

The Flower Seller

oilImpressionismportraitfigureflowersportraitshawlbabybasket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a person and conveying a sense of mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure, flowers, and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, figure, and flowers using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the skin tones of the figure and baby, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add the details of the shawl, focusing on the pattern and texture.
step 05
Build up the layers of color in the flowers, creating depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust the overall composition as needed.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the floral colors by mixing primary colors and adding white for lighter shades.

techniques