plate no. 2173
Garden
Józef Mehoffer, 1920
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in rendering foliage with varied brushstrokes and capturing atmospheric perspective. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the building, trees, and garden layout.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white, allowing some variation.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the building and tree trunks using a mix of burnt umber and black.
- step 04
Begin layering the foliage with greens, yellows, and browns, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add highlights to the foliage with lighter yellows and whites, focusing on areas where the sun hits.
- step 06
Paint the garden area with a base of yellow ochre, then add details like paths, shadows, and figures.
- step 07
Refine the details of the foreground foliage with reds, greens, and browns, adding texture with dry brush techniques.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue. Create warm browns by blending burnt umber with yellow ochre and a hint of red.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Creating flat, lifeless foliage by not varying the colors and values.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and making the background too sharp.
- →Using too much detail in the background
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, ultramarine blue)
- ·round brushes (#4, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#6, #8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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