plate no. 1107

Last Rays of Sunlight, Early Spring in San Antonio

Robert Julian Onderdonk, 1922

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesfieldskyvegetationsunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It's a good exercise in capturing the subtle light and color variations in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, distant land, and foreground.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of the main tree mass.
step 03
Block in the sky with light yellows and pinks, blending softly.
step 04
Lay in the distant land with muted purples and blues to create atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add the middle ground with a mix of greens, yellows, and purples, using broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the foreground with more saturated greens and purples, adding texture with short, choppy strokes.
step 07
Define the tree mass with darker greens and browns, suggesting individual leaves and branches.
step 08
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · sap green · burnt umber

Mix purples by combining alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue, varying the ratios for different shades. Create greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Mute colors by adding a touch of burnt umber or complementary colors.

techniques