plate no. 4206

Late Afternoon in October

Willard Metcalf, 1920

oilImpressionismlandscaperivertreeshousesfieldskyautumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the river, horizon line, and placement of the houses and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the trees, using variations of yellow, orange, and brown.
step 04
Paint the field with a base layer of green, then add layers of yellow and brown to create texture and depth.
step 05
Begin painting the river with a base of light blue, then add darker blues and purples to create the illusion of flowing water.
step 06
Add details to the houses, using light and shadow to create form.
step 07
Refine the details in the trees and field, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches to the river, such as reflections and highlights.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Vary the greens by adding small amounts of burnt sienna or white. Achieve the autumn colors by mixing cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, and alizarin crimson.

techniques