plate no. 5532

The Flowered Terrace

Henri-Edmond Cross, 1905

oil, canvasPointillismlandscapegardenflowerstreesterracelandscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, broken color techniques, and creating depth through layering and contrasting values. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow using short, deliberate brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, indicating the terrace, trees, and main areas of flowers.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant landscape with broad strokes of color.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the terrace and trees, focusing on the overall color temperature.
step 04
Begin layering in the colors of the flowers, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and vibrancy.
step 05
Add details to the trees, varying the colors and values to create depth and form.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows on the terrace, using a palette knife or small brush to create crisp edges.
step 07
Add final touches to the flowers, using small dots and dashes of color to capture the light and movement.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Achieve the vibrant pinks and purples by mixing alizarin crimson with white and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten and cool colors, and burnt sienna to warm and darken them.

techniques

·broken color
·pointillism
·impasto
·color layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Using too much detail in the initial sketch, which can hinder the spontaneity of the painting.
→Neglecting the importance of color temperature in creating depth and atmosphere.
→Applying paint too thinly, which can result in a weak and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, titanium white, viridian green, burnt sienna, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags