Among the impressionists, Manet was regarded as the greatest still life painter, especially about flowers. There were two main periods when he painted flowers, namely the medium-term of 1860s and his last time. Because of his serious illness, he was unable to draw large pictures.
Among the impressionists, Manet was regarded as the greatest still life painter, especially about flowers. There were two main periods when he painted flowers, namely the medium-term of 1860s and his last time. Because of his serious illness, he was unable to draw large pictures. And then he turned to paint still life, which was easy for him to find prototype. His interest in painting flowers produced during learning at the museum, but he went to the museum aiming to explore the ancient painters' secrets. During his travel to wife's hometown—Holland, he studied very delicate works representing flowers, fruits and precious tableware made by Flemish painters. These things were put in a white tablecloth or carpet, reminding people of the feast and dishes related to the western churches. As defined by the tradition, still life was never reduced to simply imitate the real things, and always implied the philosophy or religion. A lot of Holland paintings appeared fully mature flowers and fruits which collapsed under the accumulated materials and pigments and stood side b side with other withered flowers or fruits swollen by worms. The transient beauty can be only kept long through the artist's brush to remind people of the death situation.
In 1864, Manet had abundant reference materials and worked a series of peony paintings. Peony was his beloved flower, but difficult to draw, because it died out early, as petals quickly fell as rain. The painter drew the first painting where he put flowers in different mature stages in a vase to perform the life cycle of peony from flower bud to petals. He also did a small painting which only two peonies placed beside the pruning shear in the same theme, which allowed people to feel the cut flowers were sure for death. The dark background chosen by the painter made the delicacy of white outline hazy and pink petals foil. The painting was made with a brush dipped in paint with more concentrated pigment and texture. The green leaves around the flowers enriched the auxiliary color points, fixing the theme of flowers on the upper left corner of the painting. These flowers in plenty of strokes were what the painter devoted to the writer and art critic Champfleury who was naturalism pioneer, one of his friends, and a close friend of Courbet, to express his respect for the conducive struggle for modern painting.
How to paint flowers in the oil paintings?
Both the plants in the pot and flowers inserted in the vase are the still lives theme that artists love. They can be alone made into the painting, or can also be used as a part of a group of still lives, such as adding some fruit, a bowl or a glass bottle pattern.
About drawing paper, canvas and painting board
There are many materials that can be used for painting. Drawing paper, canvas and painting board are commonly used. But the beginners should note that no matter which material you choose, please remember to process the painting bottom into no oil absorption or less.
Russian painter Serov's painting style
Serov was an outstanding Russian portrait painter in the alternate period of the nineteenth century and twentieth Century. And he was an important representative of Russian realism painting at the beginning of this century.
