plate no. 7747

Zinnias in a Grey Vase

oilPost-Impressionismflower paintingflowersvasetablestill lifebackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture with brushstrokes, and understanding color relationships in a still life setting. It also provides practice in depicting reflective surfaces and floral forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the vase, flowers, and table.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, table, and vase using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the flower shapes with thicker paint, focusing on the general color masses.
step 04
Add details to the vase, including the patterns and highlights.
step 05
Develop the individual petals and textures of the flowers using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the table surface, paying attention to reflections and highlights.
step 07
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Varnish the painting once dry to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · blue · white

secondary · pink · green · brown

Mix various shades of red and pink by combining red with white and small amounts of blue or brown. Achieve the blues for the vase by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of black. Create greens by mixing yellow and blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques