plate no. 3388

Yellow Lilies

oilPost-Impressionismflower paintingflowersvasestill lifetableleaves

some experience helpful

This painting is good for learning about layering colors and creating a sense of depth with loose brushstrokes. Recreating this will help students understand how to suggest form rather than precisely rendering it.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase and flower arrangement, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with light, broken color washes of white, yellow, and hints of blue.
step 03
Establish the main color masses of the flowers (yellow, orange, white) with broad strokes.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shapes of the flowers and leaves, creating depth.
step 05
Paint the vase, paying attention to the highlights and reflections to suggest glass.
step 06
Refine the details of the flowers and leaves, adding texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the subject.
step 08
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium orange

secondary · sap green · cerulean blue · raw umber

Mix various shades of yellow by combining yellow ochre with white and small amounts of orange. Achieve the translucent quality of the vase by layering thin washes of white and blue.

techniques