plate no. 9098
Corner of the Garden
Dorrit Black, 1936
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to represent complex scenes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through layering and color variation.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the geometric forms.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background green.
- step 03
Add the darker greens and blues to create depth and shadow.
- step 04
Paint the red architectural elements and the lighter areas of the sky.
- step 05
Add the details of the flowers and foliage, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes to create a crisp, clean look.
- step 07
Add the final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · green · red · blue · yellow
secondary · white · brown · grey
Mix various shades of green by combining blue and yellow with small amounts of brown or black. Achieve the reds by mixing a base red with white or yellow to create lighter tones.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·layering
- ·simplified forms
- ·geometric shapes
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes
- →Using too many colors
- →Not creating enough contrast
- →Losing the overall composition
materials
surface · Canvas board
required
- ·Acrylic paints
- ·Canvas board
- ·Round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·Flat brush (#4)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Easel
- ·Medium (for acrylics)
Acrylics are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use. Adjust brush sizes based on the size of your canvas.
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