plate no. 0873

Rose garden

Paul Klee, 1920

oilCubismcityscapecityscapebuildingsrosesgardengeometric shapesabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in geometric abstraction, color blocking, and creating a sense of depth through color variations. It also encourages experimentation with simplified forms and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes of the buildings and the placement of the roses.
step 02
Divide the buildings into smaller geometric sections, following the original painting's structure.
step 03
Begin filling in the larger color blocks with the dominant reds, oranges, and purples.
step 04
Mix and apply lighter and darker shades of each color to create depth and variation within each section.
step 05
Paint the green stems of the roses, varying the thickness and angle slightly.
step 06
Add the rose heads using a circular motion, layering different shades of red and white to create dimension.
step 07
Add the small details like the windows and the flag on the central building.
step 08
Review the painting and adjust colors and shapes as needed to match the original.

color palette

primary · red · orange · purple · white

secondary · green · brown · yellow

Achieve the various shades of red, orange, and purple by mixing the primary colors with white, brown, or each other. Use thin washes to build up color gradually.

techniques