We are going to mix the colours for each object in the still life separately and block them in before we refine our painting.

In this section we will mix the range of colours and values needed to paint the lemons. We are starting with neutral shadow colours, moving onto the vibrant yellows of the lemons in the light.

Mixing colours: Please take your time mixing the colours, and do not be afraid to scrape back the palette and start again. It's better to have a few false starts initially than to waste hours correcting colors on the canvas later. Keep referring to your values and to the colour chart I have provided.

Mix enough paint: It is often the beginners error to be conservative with the amount of paint on the palette, but it is a false economy to scrimp on paint, having extra paint available is far more convenient than trying to match colors midway through your painting

Clean your brush regularly: I cannot emphasise how important this is, and generally I wipe my brush every couple of strokes, so as not to muddy one colour with another.

Keep in mind that our objective is to create a compelling artwork, not simply replicate the reference photo. Only you will have access to the reference photo, so focus on creating a successful painting that is true to your artistic vision.