plate no. 1777

Autumn Days

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapefieldskyfoliageclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements like trees and the field.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly to create the cloud effect.
step 03
Block in the distant trees and foliage with muted greens and browns, paying attention to value differences.
step 04
Layer in the field with varying shades of green, yellow, and brown, using broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Add the details of the trees, including the orange foliage, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 06
Define the foreground with darker values and more visible brushstrokes to create depth.
step 07
Add highlights to the field and trees to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow light · payne's gray

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-dry

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not creating a sense of depth.
→Neglecting the importance of value differences in creating form.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (sap green, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, raw umber)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits