plate no. 1430
The House in Giverny
Frederick Carl Frieseke, 1912
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It's also a good exercise in capturing the effects of light and shadow on a complex subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house, figure, and garden, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
- step 03
Begin layering in the base colors for the house, foliage, and figure.
- step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to build up the texture of the foliage and walls.
- step 05
Mix and apply variations of green, yellow, and brown to create the impression of leaves and plants.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the figure to give it form.
- step 07
Refine the details of the windows, shutters, and door.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue to create muted shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Applying paint too smoothly, losing the textured effect.
- →Ignoring the variations in color within the foliage.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (viridian green, yellow ochre, titanium white, raw umber, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the impasto effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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