plate no. 8505

Trianon

Lili Elbe, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapepondstatuebuildingreflectiontreeslily pads

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections in water and rendering subtle variations in light and shadow on a stone sculpture. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the statue, building, and pond.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall proportions of the scene.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest and lightest values.
step 04
Begin refining the shapes of the statue and building, paying attention to the details of their forms.
step 05
Add the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes to create a sense of movement.
step 06
Develop the background elements, such as the trees and sky, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details like lily pads and small fish to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · gray · green · beige · blue

secondary · brown · yellow · orange

Mix grays by combining complementary colors like blue and orange, or green and red. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Achieve the water's color by layering blues, greens, and grays.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·wet-on-dry brushwork
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value, which can result in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective, which can make the background appear too sharp and distracting.
→Not accurately capturing the distortions in the reflections.