plate no. 6025
La Belle Jardiniere – January
Eugène Grasset, 1896
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and layering techniques to create depth and detail in the foliage and figure.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, fountain, and trees.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: the sky, ground, figure's clothing, and foliage.
- step 03
Refine the colors and values in each area, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
- step 04
Add details to the figure, including facial features and clothing patterns.
- step 05
Develop the foliage and trees, using layering to create depth and texture.
- step 06
Paint the fountain and add details like icicles.
- step 07
Add the lettering at the top and bottom.
- step 08
Refine all areas and add final details.
color palette
primary · ochre · burnt sienna · Prussian blue · ivory black
secondary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white
Mix ochre and burnt sienna for the figure's clothing and the ground. Use Prussian blue and ivory black to create the dark greens and blues of the foliage and sky. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·color layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·linear detail
- ·muted color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the colors and losing the subtle tonal variations.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (ochre, burnt sienna, Prussian blue, ivory black, sap green, raw umber, titanium white)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
- ·Apron
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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