plate no. 3751

Red Umbrella

Józef Mehoffer, 1917

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintinggardenfiguretreesflowerspathumbrella

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition: the figure, garden beds, paths, and trees.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, trees, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure and umbrella, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin adding details to the garden beds, using short, broken brushstrokes to represent the flowers and foliage.
step 05
Develop the trees in the background, using lighter values and softer edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Refine the details of the figure and umbrella, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 07
Add final touches and details to the flowers and foliage in the foreground.
step 08
Check the overall balance of the painting and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and create variations by adding white or burnt umber. Achieve the red umbrella color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber for depth.

techniques