plate no. 8619

Jardin de Versailles

Lili Elbe, 1918

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapestatuesgardenwatertreeslandscapefountain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering the texture of aged bronze. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle color variations in a muted, natural light setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the statues and the fountain.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general layout of the garden in the background.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, trees, and water using thin washes.
step 04
Begin defining the shapes of the statues, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the fountain and the surrounding stonework, focusing on texture.
step 06
Refine the colors and values in the background to create atmospheric perspective.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the statues to enhance their three-dimensionality.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · olive green · gray · pale pink · light blue

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Achieve the bronze statue color by mixing olive green, burnt umber, and touches of blue. Create the atmospheric haze with diluted mixes of pink, blue, and gray.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, losing the sense of depth.
→Making the statue colors too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the stonework.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (olive green, gray, pale pink, light blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white)
·Turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags