plate no. 7830

Strange Garden

Józef Mehoffer, 1903

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintinggardenfigurestreesflowerschilddragonfly

experienced study

This painting offers a chance to practice rendering complex fabric folds and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow within a lush garden setting. Students can also improve their skills in depicting figures in a naturalistic yet stylized manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and major elements like the trees and the dragonfly.
step 02
Establish the background by blocking in the general colors of the foliage and grass, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin to define the figures, starting with the woman in the blue dress. Focus on capturing the folds and drapery of the fabric.
step 04
Add details to the figures, including facial features, clothing details, and the flowers they are holding.
step 05
Paint the dragonfly, paying attention to its intricate wing patterns and the way it interacts with the surrounding foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the garden, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the small white flowers in the foreground and other details to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Titanium white · Cadmium red

secondary · Sap green · Burnt umber · Orange · Ivory black

Achieve the rich blues of the dress by mixing Prussian blue with a touch of black and white. Create the greens of the foliage by mixing yellow ochre and Prussian blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Use red and white for the pink flowers.

techniques

·Layering
·Blending
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to establish a strong value structure
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the foliage
→Getting lost in the complexity of the composition
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow ochre, Titanium white, Cadmium red, Sap green, Burnt umber, Orange, Ivory black)
·Palette
·Palette knives
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags