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surface prep

Sargent handled all tasks including preparing his canvases himself (Source 3). While specific priming recipes for this 1885 landscape are not detailed in the sources, standard practice for the period involved a white or neutral ground to allow for the luminosity characteristic of Impressionist work. Given Sargent's direct application of oil paint, a smooth, absorbent ground is likely preferred to facilitate his brushwork.

underdrawing

Sargent seldom used pencil or oil sketches, and instead laid down oil paint directly (Source 3). Therefore, no distinct underdrawing phase is recommended; the composition should be blocked in directly with paint.

underpainting

While Sargent typically worked directly, the sources describe a traditional method of creating a grisaille (monochrome underpainting) before glazing, which was practiced by old masters and referenced in contemporary theory (Source 1). However, given Sargent's Impressionist leanings and direct painting style, a full grisaille is unlikely for this specific work. Instead, a loose tonal block-in using thin paint serves as the functional equivalent of an underpainting in this context.

Direct Painting

Sargent seldom used sketches and laid down oil paint directly, a method that allowed for spontaneity and captured the immediacy of the scene.

Impressionist Brushwork

Use of quick, short, broken brushstrokes to capture light and atmosphere, characteristic of the Impressionist style Sargent adopted for landscapes.

Glazing and Scumbling

While Sargent's direct style may not heavily rely on this, the technique of glazing (transparent coats) and scumbling (semi-opaque layers) was a known method in oil painting for achieving depth and tone, as described in contemporary practice.