plate no. 4731

Untitled (also known as Flowers in a Vase)

Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifetablefloral arrangement

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and layering techniques to create depth and texture. It also encourages observation of color variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the vase, flowers, and table.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the background.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker tones of the vase and table cloth using blues and purples.
step 04
Add the base colors for the flowers, focusing on yellows, reds, and purples.
step 05
Layer in darker values to create shadows and depth within the flowers.
step 06
Use dry brush techniques to add texture to the flowers and table cloth.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the vase and flowers.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of green for the vase by combining blue and yellow. Achieve the purples by mixing blue and crimson. Use yellow ochre diluted for the background and highlights.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·color mixing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Using too much water and losing control of the washes.
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more.
→Failing to observe subtle color variations.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, sap green, cadmium yellow)
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Palette for mixing paints
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser