plate no. 1660

Landscape

Paul Serusier, 1912

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreesgrassfoliagegardenfence

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice layering colors to create depth and learn how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. Students can also practice creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the tree, the line of the fence, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the green of the grass, the darker green of the trees, and the brown of the tree trunk.
step 03
Add variations in the green tones to create the illusion of depth and texture in the grass and foliage.
step 04
Paint the fence posts and small trees in the background, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Add details to the tree trunk, including the branches and any visible knots or textures.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 07
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the grass and foliage.
step 08
Add final touches and details as needed.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green. Use raw umber to darken the greens and create shadows. Add titanium white to lighten the greens and create highlights.

techniques