plate no. 9882

In Thought

Hans Andersen Brendekilde, 1906

oilRealismgenre paintingfigurelandscapewaterbuildingsfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic textures in foliage and clothing. They will also learn how to create a sense of depth through layering and color variation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the sky, water, and land, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the values and forms of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes and colors to create texture and depth.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, focusing on their shapes and proportions.
step 06
Refine the sky and water, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns by combining burnt umber with small amounts of blue or red.

techniques