plate no. 7710

Island Church

Jamie Wyeth, 1969

oilContemporary Realismlandscapechurchbuildingskylandscapegrasslobster traps

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering textures with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through layering and tonal control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the church, the lobster traps, and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of diluted blues and grays, creating soft cloud formations.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes of the church with muted greens and browns, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering the lobster traps, using a mix of browns, grays, and greens to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the church, such as the windows, roof, and architectural elements.
step 06
Paint the foreground grass with varied greens and browns, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · gray · green · brown · blue

secondary · ochre · umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or gray to dull the intensity. Use thin washes for the sky and build up layers for the church and lobster traps.

techniques