plate no. 4674

Meadow with Brook, Medfield, Massachusetts

Robert Lewis Reid, 1909

oilImpressionismlandscapebrookmeadowgrasstreeswaterlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the subtle reflections in water. It also provides practice in rendering foliage with loose, 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 brook's path, and the placement of major tree masses.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with thin washes of color, focusing on capturing the overall light and tone.
step 03
Block in the distant trees and meadow with broad strokes of color, paying attention to the variations in hue and value.
step 04
Begin layering the grass and foliage in the foreground, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 05
Add details to the brook, including reflections and highlights, using small, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the textures of the grass and foliage, adding dry brush strokes to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian · titanium white

Achieve the greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue or viridian. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective. Mix burnt umber with blue for darker shadows.

techniques