plate no. 0680

Backyard

Istvan Nagy, 1911

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingsgrasstreesskyfoliagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, horizon line, and major landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue, blending towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings - greens and browns - using simplified shapes.
step 04
Layer darker greens and browns to define the roof lines and shadows on the buildings.
step 05
Add the foliage and grass with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the greens and browns.
step 06
Introduce the lighter areas of grass and the highlights on the buildings.
step 07
Paint the details of the window and the fence.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to the texture of the grass and foliage.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cerulean blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and raw umber. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Burnt sienna can be added to the greens and browns to warm them up.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·simplified shapes
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Creating mud by over-mixing colors.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·odorless mineral spirits

optional

·easel
·painting medium
·varnish

Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. If using acrylics, consider using a slow-drying medium to allow for more blending time.

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