plate no. 4541

Near the Mill

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapewindmillbuildingroadfigureskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn how to mix subtle color variations to represent light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the windmill, building, and road.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the windmill and building with white and off-white tones.
step 04
Add the darker tones to the roof and shadows on the building, using browns and grays.
step 05
Paint the road with a mix of browns, tans, and grays, suggesting the texture of the dirt.
step 06
Add the figure in the distance with a dark, simplified shape.
step 07
Develop the details of the windmill, including the sails and windows.
step 08
Refine the overall painting with highlights and shadows, paying attention to the direction of light.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the sky and building tones. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the road and landscape, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired warmth.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ivory black)
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife