plate no. 0601

Afternoon Shadows

oil, panelImpressionismlandscapefieldcloudsskytreespathvegetation

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing broken color and capturing the effects of light on a landscape. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and major shapes (clouds, trees, path).
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the basic color of the field with a mix of yellows, browns, and greens.
step 04
Add darker values to indicate shadows and depth in the field.
step 05
Paint the trees in the background with varying shades of green and brown.
step 06
Define the path with lighter, desaturated colors and visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the foreground vegetation with small, broken brushstrokes of various colors.
step 08
Refine the clouds and add highlights to the field to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create atmospheric perspective. Muted tones are achieved by mixing complementary colors.

techniques