plate no. 7144

Autumn Sun

Vilhelms Purvitis, 1909

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeswaterlandscapeautumnskybirch trees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing reflections in water and depicting atmospheric perspective.

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 trees, shoreline, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, creating a textured cloud effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the trees and foliage, using a mix of yellows, oranges, and browns.
step 04
Add details to the birch trees, using white and gray to define the trunks and branches.
step 05
Create the water reflections by mirroring the colors and shapes of the trees and sky, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the foreground with a mix of earth tones and subtle variations in color.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · raw umber · sap green

Mix various shades of yellow and orange by combining yellow ochre, cadmium orange, and burnt sienna. Achieve the sky blue by mixing ultramarine blue with white, and add a touch of raw umber for the cloud shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·layering
·wet-on-dry

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
→Applying paint too thinly or evenly.
→Ignoring the reflections in the water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·varnish

Use a variety of brush sizes to create different textures and details. Consider using a palette knife to apply thicker layers of paint for impasto effects.

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