plate no. 0045

An after lunch (the arbor)

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfiguresgardenarchitecturetreeslandscapeterracotta pots

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape setting and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It will also help with color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and composition, including the figures, architecture, and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background by painting the sky and distant landscape, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the architecture and foliage, using a limited palette of greens and browns.
step 04
Start adding details to the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and realistic skin tones.
step 05
Develop the details of the foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add the terracotta pots and other details in the foreground, paying attention to their shapes and shadows.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final details and touches to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create realistic skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white.

techniques

·blocking in
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags