plate no. 8080
A Summer’s Day
Marie Duhem, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the impression of light and atmosphere. It also provides practice in painting figures within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figure, tree, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, field, tree, and figure's dress.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights.
- step 04
Add details to the figure, such as the hat, facial features, and folds in the dress.
- step 05
Paint the flowers in the field, varying their size and color.
- step 06
Refine the details of the tree, adding branches and leaves.
- step 07
Blend and soften edges to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the sky and dress by adding white to the blue. Use raw umber to create shadows and earthy tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·blending
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Making the figure too stiff or unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·apron
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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