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home·artworks·Five O'Clock, June
Five O'Clock, June by Robert Spencer

plate no. 5318

Five O'Clock, June

Robert Spencer, 1913

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingbuildingfigurestreeslandscapearchitecturevillage
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create texture and using a limited color palette to achieve harmony. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, trees, and the horizon line.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color for the sky, buildings, and ground using thin washes.

  3. step 03

    Start adding texture to the buildings with short, broken brushstrokes, building up layers of color.

  4. step 04

    Define the shapes of the trees and foliage using a variety of greens and yellows, applying paint with dabbing motions.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the figures, focusing on capturing their general shapes and positions.

  6. step 06

    Refine the details of the buildings, adding windows, doors, and other architectural elements.

  7. step 07

    Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

  8. step 08

    Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix yellow ochre and raw umber with white for the building's main color. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create muted grays for shadows and the sky. Mix greens with yellow ochre, blue, and white for foliage.

techniques

  • ·impasto
  • ·broken color
  • ·scumbling
  • ·layering
  • ·alla prima

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Losing the overall sense of light and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
  • ·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, sap green, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·varnish

Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →color theory for painters →how to learn by studying the masters →
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