plate no. 8532

England

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1953

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapefieldscloudstreesvillagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth. It will also improve their ability to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes of the fields, trees, and sky.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes, blending grays and blues to create the cloud formations.
step 03
Block in the distant hills and trees with dark greens and browns, using a lighter touch for areas closer to the horizon.
step 04
Paint the fields, using different shades of green, yellow, and brown to create the impression of varying crops and textures.
step 05
Add details to the village and church, keeping them simple and slightly blurred to maintain atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Refine the foreground with more detail, including the hedge and any individual plants or trees.
step 07
Adjust values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and texture of the landscape.

color palette

primary · gray · green · brown · yellow

secondary · blue · red · white

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow, blue, and brown. Create grays by mixing black and white, and adjust the tone with small amounts of blue or brown. Achieve the reddish-brown of the field by mixing red, brown, and a touch of yellow.

techniques