plate no. 5427

Flower garden (marigolds)

Emil Nolde, 1919

oilExpressionismlandscapeflowersgardenfoliagemarigoldsplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to represent light and form in a vibrant garden scene. It's a great exercise in capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the flower garden, focusing on the placement of the major flower groupings.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the flowers and foliage using broad strokes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Begin adding layers of paint to build up texture and depth, using short, choppy brushstrokes to create a sense of movement.
step 04
Mix variations of each color to represent the different values and hues within the flowers and leaves.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest the form and structure of the plants.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create contrast and dimension, focusing on areas where light is hitting the flowers.
step 07
Refine the details of the flowers and foliage, adding small touches of color and texture to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any final adjustments to balance the composition and color harmony.

color palette

primary · orange · green · yellow · red

secondary · purple · white · blue

Mix vibrant oranges by combining yellow and red, and create variations by adding white or a touch of brown. Achieve the greens by mixing blues and yellows, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques