plate no. 3172

Waratah

Grace Cossington Smith, 1928

oilPost-Impressionismflower paintingflowerleavesplantfloral arrangement

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and practice applying short, directional brushstrokes to build form and texture.

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 flower and leaves, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background and lightest tones.
step 03
Build up the color in the flower petals and leaves using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix and apply variations of red, purple, and green to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to define the form of the flower and leaves.
step 06
Refine the details of the flower's center, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to match the original painting.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · green · purple · white

secondary · blue · brown · yellow

Achieve the various reds by mixing a base red with browns, purples, and white. Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust with browns or reds for muted tones. Purples are achieved by mixing reds and blues, and can be lightened with white.

techniques