plate no. 7443

The White Hyacinth

Mary Fedden, 1984

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)still lifeflowerslemonstablelandscapepalm treestill life

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and interest. It's also a good exercise in understanding color relationships and creating a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, focusing on the placement of the main elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and working your way forward.
step 03
Add the base colors for the table, lemons, flowers, and other objects.
step 04
Begin layering colors and adding details to the lemons, using short, visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the flowers, focusing on the shapes of the petals and the variations in white.
step 06
Add details to the table, including the stripes and the drawer details.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details, such as the shadow under the lemons.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · white · yellow · green · blue

secondary · black · grey · brown · purple

Mix different shades of white by adding small amounts of yellow, grey, or blue. Create the green for the landscape by mixing blue and yellow, and vary the shades by adding white or black.

techniques