plate no. 5501

May in the Mountains

Ernest Lawson, 1919

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapemountainshousefoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create a sense of light and atmosphere. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in nature.

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 placement of the mountains, trees, and house.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the mountains and trees using a mixture of blues, greens, and browns.
step 04
Begin layering in the foliage with short, broken brushstrokes of various greens, yellows, and whites.
step 05
Add the house, paying attention to the subtle color variations in the walls and roof.
step 06
Develop the foreground with layers of greens, yellows, and browns, creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Achieve the greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt sienna and ultramarine for darks. Mix white with a touch of yellow and sienna for the blossoms.

techniques