plate no. 4050

Michigan Summer Days

oilExpressionismlandscapelaketreesskycloudslandscapereflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It also provides practice in mixing colors to represent water and reflections.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition: horizon line, tree placement, and major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, creating cloud shapes.
step 03
Paint the distant treeline with a mix of greens, browns, and reds, using short, choppy strokes.
step 04
Establish the base color of the water with a mix of blues, greens, and yellows.
step 05
Add reflections to the water using similar colors as the objects above, but with more horizontal strokes.
step 06
Paint the foreground foliage with greens, yellows, and browns, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the tree trunk and branches with dark browns and blacks, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create variations in the water by adding small amounts of red or brown to the blue-green base. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques