plate no. 5149
Yellow Butterfly
Mary Fedden, 2008
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. It also encourages experimentation with stylized representation and bold brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the objects: the table, flowers, pitcher, butterfly, and fruit.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
- step 03
Paint the main shapes of each object with their base colors, focusing on accurate proportions.
- step 04
Add details to the pitcher, such as the decorative patterns, using a fine brush.
- step 05
Paint the flowers, starting with the petals and then adding the centers.
- step 06
Add the butterfly, paying attention to the wing patterns and color variations.
- step 07
Refine the shapes and colors of the fruit, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · black · white · yellow · purple
secondary · green · grey
Mix various shades of grey by combining black and white. Create the purple hues by mixing red and blue, and adjust with white for lighter tones. Achieve the green by mixing yellow and blue.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·flat color application
- ·stylized representation
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using too many colors and losing the cohesive feel.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the objects.
- →Making the brushstrokes too uniform and losing the texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Acrylic paints (black, white, yellow, purple)
- ·Acrylic paints (green, grey)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Retarder medium
Use good quality acrylic paints for best results. Consider using a medium to slow down the drying time of the acrylics.
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