plate no. 0900

Michelago Landscape

George Washington Lambert, 1923

oilSymbolismlandscapelandscapehillstreesskycloudsgrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushwork to capture the texture of the 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, focusing on the horizon line and major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, suggesting cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the distant hills, using muted browns and blues to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the mid-ground fields with varying shades of green and yellow, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add the trees and foliage in the foreground, using darker greens and browns to create contrast.
step 06
Define the details of the foreground grass and fallen log with expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details, such as the cattle in the mid-ground, to complete the scene.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to the blues and browns for distant hills.

techniques