plate no. 6366

Evening light, Flinders Ranges, SA

Horace Trenerry, 1930

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsskygrasssunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture.

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 the trees and hills.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow, blending the colors.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the hills, using a mix of orange, brown, and purple.
step 04
Paint the foreground with broad strokes of red-brown and ochre, suggesting the texture of the grass.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using thin lines and small dabs of color to represent the foliage.
step 06
Layer lighter tones on the hills to create highlights and define the forms.
step 07
Refine the details in the foreground, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium orange

Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine blue for the darker tones in the hills and foreground. Use yellow ochre and white to create the warm glow in the sky. Add small amounts of cadmium orange to the burnt sienna for the highlights on the hills.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·color layering
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, which can flatten the composition.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the sky and the hills, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Using too much detail in the distant hills, which can reduce the sense of depth.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, which can make the painting look monotonous.