plate no. 0750

Garden at Văratec

Horia Bernea, 1987

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesfoliagehillskygrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using visible brushstrokes to convey a sense of movement and light. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hill, trees, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of a neutral color (e.g., raw umber) to tone the canvas.
step 03
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
step 04
Establish the dark areas of the trees and foliage with a mix of greens and browns.
step 05
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows onto the hill, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add details to the trees, varying the greens and adding highlights to suggest sunlight.
step 07
Refine the foreground with small details like grasses and wildflowers.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and adjust the hue with small amounts of brown or white. Create lighter values by adding white to the primary colors.

techniques