plate no. 9046

At the Well

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguretreeslandscapewellfoliagerural

some experience helpful

This painting allows students to practice capturing dappled light and shadow, as well as rendering organic shapes like trees and foliage with loose brushstrokes. Students can also learn to create depth through atmospheric perspective and color temperature changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the well, figure, and trees.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and foliage using a mix of greens, browns, and yellows.
step 04
Start defining the form of the well with highlights and shadows, paying attention to the texture.
step 05
Add details to the figure, focusing on the light and shadow on the clothing and face.
step 06
Paint the background landscape, using lighter values and cooler colors to create depth.
step 07
Add the oranges to the trees, using small, bright strokes of orange and yellow.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create warm browns for the tree trunks and well. Add small amounts of cadmium orange for the oranges on the trees.

techniques