plate no. 1638
In the Garden
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for natural light and shadow, as well as capturing loose, expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and form. Students will also practice painting a figure in an outdoor setting.
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 main shapes: the figure, chair, tree trunk, table, and background foliage.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
- step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow patterns on the figure and surrounding objects.
- step 04
Mix a variety of greens, browns, and yellows to create the foliage, using broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
- step 05
Develop the details of the figure's face and hands, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 06
Add the flowers and vase, using small, deliberate brushstrokes to capture their delicate forms.
- step 07
Refine the composition by adjusting the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian green · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or raw sienna. Achieve warm browns by mixing burnt umber with cadmium red or yellow ochre. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, viridian green, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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