plate no. 9370

Two women in the garden with fountain

Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1905

paperExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresgardenfountaintreesarchitecturepath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and expressive composition. Students will also learn to create depth using color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition: figures, fountain, trees, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, ground, foliage, and figures.
step 03
Refine the colors, focusing on subtle variations within each area.
step 04
Add details to the figures and architectural elements.
step 05
Define the edges and add highlights to create form.
step 06
Create texture in the foliage and ground with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Review and refine the overall composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix muted greens by combining viridian, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the sky color by mixing titanium white with a small amount of ultramarine blue and cadmium red light. Use raw umber and white to create the various earth tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush texture
·color mixing
·simplifying forms
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details.
→Using colors that are too bright.
→Losing the overall composition.
→Not simplifying the forms enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·raw umber oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·cadmium red light oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·viridian oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

A slightly textured canvas will help to achieve the desired brushstroke effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein