plate no. 0521

Afternoon (study)

oilTonalismlandscapehillstreeslandscapeskygrasspath

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice layering colors to create depth and texture in a landscape. Students can learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use brushstrokes to suggest detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of blue-gray.
step 03
Block in the large areas of the hills with different shades of green and brown.
step 04
Add darker tones to indicate shadows and define the forms of the hills.
step 05
Paint the trees using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the trees and grass to create a sense of light.
step 07
Define the path with lighter values and subtle color variations.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create subtle color variations. Raw umber and burnt sienna can be used to create earth tones.

techniques

·layering
·broken color
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of light and shadow.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, raw umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife