plate no. 8259

Garden at Vaucresson

Edouard Vuillard, 1936

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapegardenhouseflowerstreesfigurefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and forms. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle light and shadow variations within a garden setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the house, the figure, and the general areas of foliage and flowers.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background, including the house, trees, and sky.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-ground foliage, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow.
step 04
Add the main flower shapes and colors, paying attention to their individual forms and placement.
step 05
Develop the figure with simple shapes and colors, focusing on the highlights and shadows of the robe.
step 06
Refine the details of the house, including the windows and roof, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Add final touches to the foliage and flowers, creating texture and depth with varied brushstrokes.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light · rose madder

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjust with white for lighter tones. Achieve the pinks for the figure and flowers by mixing alizarin crimson and titanium white, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·impressionistic brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Failing to create depth by not layering colors effectively.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them to create subtle variations.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in defining the forms.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, titanium white, alizarin crimson)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium yellow light, rose madder)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.

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