plate no. 9116

An Old Italian Garden

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1927

oilImpressionismgenre paintinggardenfiguresstatuewatertreesarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape setting and capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces. They will also learn to create depth and atmosphere using color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, statue, and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, including the trees, wall, and sky.
step 03
Block in the figures with simplified shapes and colors, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the statue, focusing on its form and the way light interacts with its surface.
step 05
Develop the water surface, capturing the reflections and the movement of light.
step 06
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the railing and the surrounding structures.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and form.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · viridian

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with small amounts of viridian. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·glazing
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can lead to a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, which can result in a flat and uninteresting composition.
→Neglecting the importance of color harmony, which can create a jarring and discordant effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.