How To

How to Paint a Flower like a Pre-Raphaelite

Follow Glory Samjolly's step-by-step guide to painting, including modern day tips and tricks

A bit of background

In 1848, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais, founded the Pre-Raphaelites, originally known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The movement was based on the idea that art should truthfully represent what we see.

Their approach to painting went against the rules of picture-making taught at the Royal Academy School. They rejected the idea that you should paint the figure first, then the background. Instead, the Pre-Raphaelites focused equally on all parts of composition. This is what gives the Pre-Raphaelite paintings their distinct high-definition quality.

The artists used bright, jewel-like colours, so that their pictures stood out against other works and demanded people’s attention. In the mid 19th century, many felt as though they were an assault on the eyes. But today, Pre-Raphaelite paintings, are often seen as beautiful images.

In this film, we guide you through how to paint in the style of a Pre-Raphaelite.

Need some inspiration?

Ready to paint like a Pre-Raphaelite?

Follow our step-by-step guide to painting a flower in the style of a Pre-Raphaelite. This tutorial includes modern day tips and tricks to help you through!

We'd love to see how your paintings turn out. Show us at @Tate on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

We recommend

Explore more how-tos

Close