plate no. 9648

At the Garden Bank

Hans Andersen Brendekilde, 1913

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresgardenhouseflowersbenchsunflower

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a natural setting and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow within a complex scene. It also provides practice in painting realistic textures, such as the fabric of the clothing and the foliage of the garden.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, the house, and the main elements of the garden.
step 02
Block in the large shapes and areas of color, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 03
Start with the background elements, such as the house and the distant foliage, gradually working your way forward.
step 04
Develop the figures, paying close attention to proportions and anatomical accuracy.
step 05
Refine the details of the garden, including the flowers, the fence, and the various objects scattered around the scene.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the subtle color variations within each area, mixing your colors carefully to achieve a realistic effect.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Achieve the subtle greens by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of white. Use burnt umber and white for the shadows on the house and figures. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber for the darker reds in the flowers.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early, before establishing the overall composition and value structure.
→Overworking the painting, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
→Neglecting the subtle color variations, leading to a flat and unrealistic effect.
→Ignoring the importance of edges, which can help to create depth and dimension.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, sap green, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags