plate no. 4305

Indian Summer, Vermont

Willard Metcalf, 1922

oilImpressionismlandscaperiverlandscapemountaintreesskybuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a landscape. Students will also learn how to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, mountain, and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, fields, and mountain.
step 03
Begin layering colors to create depth and variation in the sky and water.
step 04
Add details to the fields, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the trees and bushes, paying attention to their shapes and colors.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, keeping them simple and understated.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and vary the intensity with white. Achieve the warm tones of the fields and trees by mixing yellow ochre with burnt sienna and small amounts of alizarin crimson.

techniques