plate no. 3800

The Garden

Horia Bernea, 1992

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapegardenhousetreesfoliageflowersbuilding

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into expressive brushstrokes. Students will learn to create a sense of atmosphere and light through color relationships.

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 house, trees, and major flower groupings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the house walls, the foliage canopy, and the general ground area.
step 03
Begin layering different shades of green and brown for the leaves, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Add the darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the trees and house.
step 05
Introduce the flower colors, focusing on capturing the general color masses rather than individual blooms.
step 06
Refine the details of the house, such as the windows and roof, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Add highlights to the leaves and flowers to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall composition, adding final touches to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Achieve earthy tones by blending burnt umber with yellow ochre and small amounts of red or blue.

techniques