plate no. 0885

Flatford Mill, Suffolk

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapemillrivertreesskylandscapebridge

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a harmonious, muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the mill, the river, the bridge, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the water, the fields, and the building.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and create depth.
step 04
Introduce lighter values to highlight areas and suggest form.
step 05
Use short, choppy brushstrokes to create texture in the water and foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the mill and the bridge, paying attention to their structure.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve overall harmony.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · viridian · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray · cadmium yellow light

Mix raw umber and white for the building. Use viridian and yellow ochre for the greens. Payne's gray and white will create the cloudy sky. Add burnt sienna to umber for warmer tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not simplifying the scene enough and getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, viridian, titanium white, burnt sienna, payne's gray)
·assorted flat brushes (sizes #2, #4, #6)
·palette
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife