plate no. 9380

Afterglow

oilTonalismlandscapeskytreeslandscapesunsetwatersilhouette

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in simplifying complex forms into silhouettes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a warm, dark ground.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the horizon line.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes of warm browns, reds, and yellows, blending as you go.
step 04
Add darker tones to the upper sky and lighter tones near the horizon to create depth.
step 05
Paint the silhouettes of the trees with dark browns and blacks, varying the edges for interest.
step 06
Add highlights to the water to suggest the reflection of the sky.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and sky, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Let it dry and add a thin glaze to unify the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark silhouettes. Use raw sienna and yellow ochre for the warm glow of the sky. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm the browns and create a sunset effect.

techniques