plate no. 5218

The sunflowers

Georges Braque, 1943

oil, canvasExpressionismflower paintingsunflowersflowersstill lifebasketleaves

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and broken color application to create texture and depth. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use color temperature to create contrast.

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, leaves, and basket, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of yellow ochre as an underpainting for the background and sunflower petals.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the sunflower centers and foliage with dark brown and green mixtures.
step 04
Build up the texture of the petals using thick, short strokes of yellow, orange, and white, varying the direction of the strokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the leaves and basket using lighter shades of green and brown, respectively.
step 06
Create the woven texture of the basket with short, parallel strokes of brown and yellow.
step 07
Refine the details of the sunflowers and leaves, paying attention to the edges and contours.
step 08
Add final touches of color and texture to create a sense of depth and vibrancy.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium orange · viridian green

Mix various shades of yellow by combining yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, and titanium white. Create greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Achieve browns by blending burnt umber with yellow or orange.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·color mixing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the texture and vibrancy of the brushstrokes.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the painting process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, cadmium orange, burnt umber, viridian green, titanium white)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags