plate no. 6589

After the Rain

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingsfigurevillagetreesskystreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and using loose brushwork to suggest details rather than define them precisely. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the figure.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the roofs, walls, sky, and ground.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Paint the figure and chickens, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement within the scene.
step 06
Develop the atmospheric perspective by softening the edges of distant objects and using cooler colors.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the overall balance of the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna for the warm tones of the buildings and ground. Add white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to create variations in the roof colors.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags