plate no. 6185

Gardens of Aranjuez (2)

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeswatergardenflowerspotsreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and creating a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective and placement of the water, trees, and flower pots.
step 02
Establish the dark values of the trees and water using a thin wash of dark green or brown.
step 03
Begin layering in the greens of the foliage, varying the hues and values to create depth and texture.
step 04
Add the reflections in the water, paying attention to how they distort and blend.
step 05
Paint the flower pots and flowers, focusing on their shapes and colors.
step 06
Add highlights to the foliage and flowers to create a sense of light.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the water reflections.

color palette

primary · dark green · red · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust with browns and whites to achieve the desired shades. Create the red hues by mixing cadmium red with a touch of yellow or brown for variation.

techniques