plate no. 0048

Breton church

Emily Carr, 1906

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingbuildingfiguresgrassskychurchlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing and layering, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in capturing light and shadow with bold brushstrokes.

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 building, figures, and landscape, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and working your way down.
step 03
Layer in darker values to define shadows and create depth.
step 04
Add highlights to the building and figures to create a sense of light.
step 05
Develop the details of the figures and architectural elements with thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adjusting as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 07
Add final details and accents, such as the window and door details.
step 08
Let dry and varnish (optional).

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · sap green · burnt umber · violet

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create various shades of grey by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and titanium white. Achieve the pinkish hues by mixing cadmium red and titanium white.

techniques