plate no. 6073

Fences

Istvan Nagy, 1927

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesfencelandscapehillspathshadows

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides a good exercise in understanding perspective and creating depth in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, fence lines, and horizon.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, hills, and path using broad strokes.
step 03
Begin layering darker values to define the shadows and forms of the trees and fence.
step 04
Add highlights to the hills and path to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 05
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and texture with short, broken strokes.
step 06
Adjust the colors and values to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 07
Add final details to the fence posts and any other small elements.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber

secondary · Titanium White · Sap Green

Mix Prussian blue with yellow ochre to create the various greens for the hills. Use white to lighten the blues and yellows for highlights. Burnt umber is used to create the dark tones of the trees and fence.

techniques

·Broken color
·Layering
·Scumbling
·Impasto
·Linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat and undifferentiated image.
→Ignoring the principles of perspective, leading to a distorted and unrealistic depiction of space.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a monotonous and lifeless texture.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Titanium White, Sap Green)
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil