plate no. 1914

Dutch Landscape

oilBaroquelandscapelandscapewindmillfigureswaterskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many small details. It also provides practice in mixing muted, naturalistic colors.

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 windmill, figures, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue and grey, blending the clouds.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the landscape with muted greens and browns, using a thin layer of paint.
step 04
Add the windmill, paying attention to its structure and the direction of light.
step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, using small brushstrokes to define their forms.
step 06
Develop the details of the trees and foliage, varying the colors and textures.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze over the entire painting with a thin layer of transparent brown to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix muted greens by combining Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques