plate no. 5598

The Garden of Elegies at Son Moragues

Santiago Rusinol, 1903

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapegardenfountaintreeswallstepsfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, as well as practice layering techniques to build depth and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: fountain, walls, trees, and steps.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, walls, and water using thin washes.
step 03
Layer in the darker tones of the trees and foliage, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Develop the texture of the walls and fountain using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply the various greens for the moss and foliage, focusing on color temperature changes.
step 06
Add details to the trees, including branches and leaves, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details such as the reflections in the water and small plants.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Achieve the mossy greens by mixing sap green with raw umber and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the subtle variations in the walls by layering burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle color temperature changes in the light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, sap green, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, raw umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife