plate no. 1184

Garden in Cannes

Edouard Vuillard, 1901

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeskyfoliagepathgarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as using broken color techniques to represent foliage and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the major tree groups and the path.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main areas of green in the foliage and grass, varying the shades slightly.
step 04
Begin layering darker greens and blues to create depth and shadow in the trees.
step 05
Add highlights to the foliage with lighter greens, yellows, and touches of orange.
step 06
Paint the path using a mix of white, gray, and blue, suggesting the texture of the surface.
step 07
Refine the details of the palm fronds, using small, directional brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches of color and detail to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Sap Green · Titanium White

secondary · Burnt Sienna · Cadmium Yellow · Ultramarine Blue

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and vary the shades by adding white, burnt sienna, or ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques