plate no. 6863

Stained Glass Window (The Mysterious Garden)

Odilon Redon, 1905

pastel, paperSymbolismsymbolic paintingwindowstained glassarchitectureinteriorlightgarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels to create depth and luminosity, as well as understanding how light interacts with different surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the window and the surrounding architecture.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the composition, focusing on the left side and the bottom.
step 03
Begin layering the blues and purples in the window area, building up the color gradually.
step 04
Introduce the warmer tones (reds, oranges, yellows) within the window, focusing on the areas where light seems to be breaking through.
step 05
Add details to the window frame, using darker blues and blacks to define the edges.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 07
Add final touches to the architectural details, ensuring they recede into the shadows.
step 08
Blend and soften edges where needed to create a dreamy, atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix blues and blacks to create the dark tones of the architecture. Use red and yellow to create the warm tones within the stained glass. Mix blue and yellow for the greens.

techniques