plate no. 2652

The Garden Behind the House

Gustave Loiseau, 1915

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapehousegardentreesflowersskyvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes to depict light and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the house, garden, and trees, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the house (yellowish white) and roof (reddish-brown) with broad strokes.
step 04
Paint the green areas of the garden and foliage, using different shades of green to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the house, such as windows, doors, and shadows, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 06
Build up the texture of the garden with layers of short, broken brushstrokes, varying the colors and values.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves with a dry brush technique.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt sienna · sap green

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix white with yellow ochre and small amounts of burnt sienna to achieve the house's color. Vary the greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white. Create the roof color by mixing burnt sienna with cadmium red and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques