plate no. 1818

Little country church

oil, panelRealismlandscapelandscapechurchfieldskytreesfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a landscape with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the church, and the large shapes of the field and sky.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad, horizontal strokes, blending blues, whites, and grays.
step 03
Block in the distant hills and buildings with muted blues and greens.
step 04
Paint the church using light, warm tones, paying attention to the simple geometric forms.
step 05
Lay in the base color of the field with a mix of greens and yellows.
step 06
Add details to the field with varied greens, yellows, and browns, using broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and individual blades of grass.
step 07
Paint the figures with simple shapes and muted colors.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the church, trees, and field.