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How to paint a vase of impressionist-like flowers

Paint a Vase of Impressionist-Like Flowers

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Mix white with a touch of red. Add in gel medium if you'd like thicker, glossier paint. Use a large square or filbert brush.

Mix white with a touch of red. Add in gel medium if you'd like thicker, glossier paint. Use a large square or filbert brush.

Mix a light grey-blue. Mix a tiny amount of black into white and then a tiny amount of blue. Add gel medium if desired.

Mix a light grey-blue. Mix a tiny amount of black into white and then a tiny amount of blue. Add gel medium if desired.

All over the background of the canvas you will swipe color in different directions. I began with the light pink. Add in more white or a tiny bit of very light yellow on occasion to add warmth.

All over the background of the canvas you will swipe color in different directions. I began with the light pink. Add in more white or a tiny bit of very light yellow on occasion to add warmth.

Don't forget the edges of your canvas! Now start swiping in some of the very light grey-blue.

Don't forget the edges of your canvas! Now start swiping in some of the very light grey-blue.

It should begin looking like this. If it doesn't feel blended enough, use just some white on top. It will pick up the wet colors when you make your swipes and lighten and blend them a bit more.

It should begin looking like this. If it doesn't feel blended enough, use just some white on top. It will pick up the wet colors when you make your swipes and lighten and blend them a bit more.

Next we will paint in the vase. With your blue, add some white and a tiny bit of black, just to tone it down a bit.

Next we will paint in the vase. With your blue, add some white and a tiny bit of black, just to tone it down a bit.

You will paint a rectangular shape for the vase. Start with your blue on the left and as you move right, add in slowly a little more white.for the right edge, bring back a bit of full strength blue.

You will paint a rectangular shape for the vase. Start with your blue on the left and as you move right, add in slowly a little more white.for the right edge, bring back a bit of full strength blue.

It should look sort of gradient, like this.

It should look sort of gradient, like this.

Switch to a smaller round brush for the flowers. Begin making splashes of blue (with a little black added) in sort of a fan shape...leaving some gaps. In the very center, have a bit more blue.

Switch to a smaller round brush for the flowers. Begin making splashes of blue (with a little black added) in sort of a fan shape...leaving some gaps. In the very center, have a bit more blue.

Now we will add in some foliage. Again, make your marks in sort of a whispy fan motion. To make a nice green, mix yellow and blue and then mix white and black to create a little grey. Mix together.

Now we will add in some foliage. Again, make your marks in sort of a whispy fan motion. To make a nice green, mix yellow and blue and then mix white and black to create a little grey. Mix together.

Let your painting dry a little. For the flowers, add some white to your red to make pink. If you want a warmer pink, add a touch of yellow. Make a circle shape in a swirly motion. Make accents in red.

Let your painting dry a little. For the flowers, add some white to your red to make pink. If you want a warmer pink, add a touch of yellow. Make a circle shape in a swirly motion. Make accents in red.

You will want to make some flowers larger and some smaller. Also make some lighter and darker. You can also make make some wide tulip like shapes to serve as side views.

Accent with red and even a pop of blue or white occasionally. After your flowers are painted in, use the blue to create pops of shadow between the flowers.

Continue working the flowers till you are satisfied. Think about contrast as you do. Fill in gaps with small swipes of various colors you used alternating colors and giving it some variety.

  • Canvas
  • Acrylic paint
  • Brushes
  • Water
  • Gel medium (optional)