plate no. 1286

Young Girl with a Vase of Flowers

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitfigureflowersstill lifewindowinteriorgarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and in layering paint to create depth and texture. It will also improve their understanding of composition and focal points.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to map out the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, flowers, and window.
step 02
Establish the background by painting the window and garden scene with loose, impressionistic strokes.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on her form.
step 04
Start working on the flowers, focusing on capturing their shapes and colors with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the vases and the table, paying attention to the reflections and shadows.
step 06
Refine the details of the figure's face and hair, using subtle color variations to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance to create a harmonious and unified painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations in value. Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, adding a touch of red to mute them.

techniques