plate no. 0871

Approaching Autumn

Willard Metcalf, 1909

oilImpressionismlandscapetreesfoliageskylandscapepathautumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the subtle light variations in a landscape scene. It's a good exercise in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing for naturalistic effects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees, foliage, and path, establishing the composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees and foliage with a mix of greens and browns, paying attention to the overall shapes.
step 04
Begin layering lighter shades of green, yellow, and brown to create the impression of leaves and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the trees and foliage where the light hits, using lighter shades of yellow and green.
step 06
Paint the path with a mix of browns and grays, adding small touches of red and orange to suggest fallen leaves.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding small branches and twigs with a fine brush.
step 08
Add final touches of color and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix greens by blending blues and yellows, and vary the shades by adding browns or whites. Achieve the autumnal colors by mixing yellows, reds, and browns. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques