plate no. 4853

A Windmill near Delft

oilRealismlandscapewindmillwaterskycloudsfigureslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in rendering complex shapes like the windmill with simplified brushstrokes.

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 windmill, water, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, gradually adding variations in tone for the clouds.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the windmill using a mid-tone gray, paying attention to perspective.
step 04
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, capturing the reflections of the sky and windmill.
step 05
Add details to the windmill, such as the sails, windows, and ladder.
step 06
Paint the foliage and figures in the foreground, using small, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · cadmium yellow · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm earth tones for the windmill and foliage. Add small amounts of cadmium yellow to the blue to create the greens.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·wet-on-dry blending
·scumbling
·rendering reflections

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the windmill, losing the overall impression.
→Making the reflections in the water too literal and symmetrical.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through value and color variations.
→Using too much detail in the background, pulling focus from the windmill.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, raw sienna, ivory black)
·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·flat brushes (#6, #8)
·palette knife
·palette
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits