plate no. 1021

Evening

Victor Zaretsky, 1980

oilRealismlandscapelandscapetreeswaterhousesskyreflections

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing expressive brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. Students will learn to simplify forms and capture the essence of a scene with loose, confident strokes.

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 placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of pale yellow and gray.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees and buildings using browns and greens.
step 04
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, reflecting the colors of the sky and trees.
step 05
Add highlights to the trees and water with yellows and whites.
step 06
Introduce the pinkish hue to the distant field.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and trees, adding texture with short, broken strokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and yellow ochre. Use white to lighten colors and create atmospheric perspective. Mix alizarin crimson with white to achieve the pinkish hue.

techniques