plate no. 8375
Approaching the storm
Léon Augustin Lhermitte, 1922
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a landscape. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the figure and village.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light gray and white, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the background hill with muted greens and browns, indicating the village with simple shapes.
- step 04
Paint the middle ground field with varying shades of green and brown, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Add the trees and bushes in the foreground, paying attention to their shapes and values.
- step 06
Define the path leading to the figure, using lighter tones to suggest sunlight.
- step 07
Paint the figure with simple shapes and colors, adding the blue umbrella as a focal point.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · payne's gray
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of burnt umber. Create atmospheric grays by mixing white, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the background, losing the sense of distance.
- →Making the colors too saturated, resulting in a less realistic effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the sky and landscape.
- →Creating too much contrast, which flattens the image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·varnish
A toned canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber can help establish the warm undertones of the painting.
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