plate no. 5972

In the Luxembourg Gardens

Ethel Carrick, 1909

oilImpressionismgenre paintingparkfigurestreesbuildinggardenlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing figures in a landscape setting.

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 placement of the building, trees, and figures.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall perspective of the park.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of color for the sky, grass, trees, and building using thin washes.
step 04
Begin adding details to the building, using variations of orange and brown.
step 05
Develop the foliage of the trees with short, broken brushstrokes of green, yellow, and brown.
step 06
Paint the figures using simplified shapes and colors, capturing their gestures and poses.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · raw umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the foliage by adding small amounts of burnt sienna or cadmium red. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques