plate no. 6151

The Garden Seat

Robert Lewis Reid, 1911

oilImpressionismportraitfiguregardenflowerstreesbenchportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing soft light and shadow, and in creating a sense of depth through layering and color mixing. Students will also practice painting figures in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main elements of the garden.
step 02
Establish the background colors, using thin washes to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the form of the figure, focusing on the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the face and hands, using small brushstrokes to capture the subtle nuances.
step 06
Paint the flowers and foliage, using a variety of greens and pinks to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the bench and other elements in the foreground.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green · cerulean blue

Achieve the soft, muted tones by mixing white with small amounts of earth tones and secondary colors. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and luminosity.

techniques