plate no. 9182
Watering Flowers
Eastman Johnson, 1879
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in low light and creating depth through subtle value changes. It's also a good exercise in capturing the textures of fabrics and foliage.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, table, and plants.
- step 02
Establish the overall dark background using a mix of browns and reds.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the girl's dress, the plants, and the table.
- step 04
Focus on the light source and begin to build up the highlights on the figure and plants.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and clothing, paying attention to subtle value changes.
- step 06
Add details to the plants, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
- step 07
Create texture in the background and foreground using dry brush techniques.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green
Achieve the dark, rich tones by mixing burnt umber and cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue to create shadows and cool tones. Mix yellow ochre and titanium white for highlights.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.
- →Making the highlights too bright, which can flatten the image.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for subtle blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
