Using a 2b pencil, and avoiding too much rubbing out, begin by drawing the part of the still life set up you find most interesting; as you draw you can move things about to improve the composition.

After the initial drawing, add some collage papers which you have already made or purchased if you don’t make your own.

Then use a little watercolour ground just on the edges of the paper or where you will need to paint over.

Using orange and reds to give a focus, start painting some of the shapes with a first coat of watercolour.

For the underlying colour of the teasel use raw sienna and for the Chinese lanterns use Winsor orange and a little permanent rose.

Use alizarin crimson/burnt sienna for the holly berries.

Paint the oak leaves using raw umber and a little burnt sienna.

Use a weak mix of raw umber and violet for the poppy heads.

Paint the dark leaves of the Virginia creeper using a mix of alizarin crimson, burnt sienna and a touch of ultramarine blue to make a dark maroon red.

Using the same weak mix used for the poppy heads, gradually add in some ultramarine blue in places.

For the teasel at the top of the painting, use this same weak mix with a little opera pink added to start the background. This begins to establish the painting.

Next start to add the green leaves using sap green together with Winsor yellow and added ultramarine blue to make a dark green. Try to leave a gap in the centre of each leaf to establish the vein.

Paint the stalk of the rose hips and add some detail.

Then turn your attention to the teasel. For this, use burnt sienna and a little purple to make a dark brown. Allow a little of the light under painting around the edge to show.

Whilst the paint is still wet use your nail to make the prickles, draw them quickly moving the paint to overlap the dry edge.

Then assemble some Inktense pencils and a fine waterproof pen to define some details.

Once you have outlined and detailed the stalks and stems, draw a few lines through the painting - to slice it up and make a minor abstract addition.

To finish, add a weak mix of paint in a line down over the painting trying not to disturb the main painting - so just to one side or through a section.

Finished painting

Still Life with Physallis, Holly and Teasel

About Sue Smith

Sue runs small art classes from her home studio in Bournemouth and demonstrates to local art clubs and societies. Sue also exhibits locally and has had paintings accepted for our TALP Open art exhibition at Patchings.

See more from Sue in the PaintersOnline gallery.