plate no. 2091

The Garden of the Dead

gouache, watercolorSymbolismsymbolic paintingskeletonsgardenflowerstreespathplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in stylized figure drawing, botanical illustration, and creating a cohesive color scheme with limited hues. It also encourages thinking about symbolism and narrative in art.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the skeletons and garden beds.
step 02
Block in the background colors: the sky, path, and distant trees.
step 03
Paint the garden beds with a base color of yellow-ochre, then add details like wood grain and shadows.
step 04
Carefully paint the skeletons, paying attention to anatomical details and the folds of their robes.
step 05
Add the plants and flowers in the garden beds, varying their shapes and sizes.
step 06
Paint the details on the garden beds, such as the small pots and plants.
step 07
Add final details like the towel and the small red flowers in the background.
step 08
Outline the entire painting with a thin black line to enhance the graphic style.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · black · white · green

secondary · red · blue · brown

Achieve the yellow-ochre by mixing yellow with a touch of burnt sienna. Create variations of green by mixing yellow and blue with small amounts of black or white for highlights and shadows.

techniques