plate no. 6687

David and Dorelia in Normandy

Augustus John, 1908

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureslandscapehillsskygrasswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in a landscape and using broken color to create form and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying details and focusing on overall shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figures, the hill, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the grass, the water, and the figures' clothing.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes of the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 04
Add details to the landscape, such as the rocks and the distant hills.
step 05
Develop the light and shadow on the figures and in the landscape.
step 06
Use broken color to create texture and interest in the painting.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to create tints of the blues and greens. Add a touch of alizarin crimson to darken shadows and create muted purples.

techniques