plate no. 2035

New Abbey, Dumfriesshire

Samuel Peploe, 1926

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapestreamskyfoliagefield

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into expressive brushstrokes. It's a great exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than photorealistic detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: trees, stream, and distant hills.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the trees and shadows with dark green and brown mixtures.
step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows onto the foliage, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the stream with reflections of the sky and surrounding foliage, using horizontal strokes.
step 06
Add details to the trees, such as branches and highlights, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Refine the foreground with textured brushstrokes to suggest grass and vegetation.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and light.

color palette

primary · viridian green · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by blending blues and yellows, using white to lighten. Create darker greens by adding burnt umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors in the distance.

techniques