plate no. 1053

Near Amiens

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesgrasswaterbridgesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective. Students will also practice using loose brushstrokes to capture the essence of a scene rather than precise details.

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, the placement of the trees, and the bridge.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-grey wash, allowing for subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees in the background, using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the water, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding vegetation.
step 05
Begin layering the foreground with various greens, yellows, and browns to create the impression of tall grass and foliage.
step 06
Add details to the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest leaves and branches.
step 07
Define the bridge with darker tones and subtle highlights.
step 08
Add final touches of light and shadow to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and vary the tones by adding white, ochre, or umber. Use white to lighten the sky and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Creating colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Using too much detail in the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (sap green, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags