plate no. 2808

Afternoon Work

Hans Andersen Brendekilde, 1918

oil, canvasSocial Realismgenre paintingfigurelandscapegardenhousefoliageshovel

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in motion and capturing the subtle color variations in natural light. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main elements of the landscape.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of color, such as the sky, foliage, and ground.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and values of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 05
Add details to the house and garden, including the windows, roof, and flowers.
step 06
Refine the details of the shovel and the ground, paying attention to the texture and color.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · sap green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix greens by blending sap green with varying amounts of yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and white to create the earth tones, adjusting with raw sienna for warmth. Achieve the blue of the shirt by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of grey.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can flatten the image.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective, which can make the painting look flat.
→Incorrect proportions of the figures.