plate no. 7162

Versailles. Water parterre

Alexandre Benois, 1905

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapewatertreesparkstatueslandscapereflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections in water and creating depth using layering and color variations in foliage. It also provides practice in depicting architectural elements within a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of major elements like the trees, water, and statues.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees and foliage using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the water with broad strokes, capturing the overall color and tone, and indicating the reflections.
step 05
Add details to the statues and architectural elements, paying attention to their shapes and proportions.
step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, using vertical strokes and subtle color variations to suggest movement.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the foliage and architectural details.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, and value.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the various greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Create the water reflections by mixing blues, greens, and browns, and diluting the paint for transparency.

techniques