plate no. 7032

Portrait of a Garden

Cuno Amiet, 1949

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapegardenflowerstreesbenchgrasspots

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating depth through variations in color and brushstroke. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.

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 lightly on the canvas, indicating the horizon line and major elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the sky, field, and main areas of foliage, using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the variations within each area (e.g., different greens in the grass).
step 04
Add the flowers, starting with the larger masses and then adding details and variations in color.
step 05
Define the shapes of the pots and the bench, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the details of the foliage and flowers, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then apply a varnish for protection.

color palette

primary · green · red · yellow · white

secondary · blue · pink · orange

Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow and blue with white. Create the flower colors by mixing red, yellow, and white in different proportions. Use complementary colors to create shadows and depth.

techniques