plate no. 7361

Midsummer morning

Hans Heysen, 1908

oilRealismlandscapetreessheeplandscapeforestfoliagelight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering soft, diffused light. It also provides practice in depicting organic forms and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main tree trunks and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the sheep and their placement in the foreground.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the sky and distant trees using diluted washes.
step 04
Add layers of color to the trees, building up the foliage with varied greens, yellows, and browns.
step 05
Define the tree trunks with darker values and subtle details.
step 06
Paint the sheep using a combination of light and shadow to create form.
step 07
Add highlights to the foliage and sheep to enhance the sense of light.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw sienna · titanium white · sap green

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background
→Using colors that are too saturated
→Failing to establish a clear light source
→Making the sheep too detailed and distracting

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·masking fluid
·pencil

optional

·palette knife
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of paint. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varied textures.

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