plate no. 4632

Landscape from Padasjoki

Alfred William Finch, 1917

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshaystacksbuildingsskyfield

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the impressionistic feel of light and shadow in a landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line, the placement of the buildings, trees, and haystacks.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of light gray and blue, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees with dark green, varying the shades to create depth.
step 04
Paint the buildings with a base of red, adding darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
step 05
Add the field with strokes of yellow and green, varying the colors to suggest the texture of the grass.
step 06
Paint the haystacks with a mix of yellow, brown, and green, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
step 07
Add details to the trees, buildings, and haystacks, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and harmony.

color palette

primary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

Mix greens by blending yellow and blue, and vary the shades by adding white or brown. Achieve the red building color by mixing alizarin crimson with a touch of burnt umber. Create the haystack color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and white.

techniques