plate no. 8212

Nudes in a Landscape

Ion Theodorescu-Sion, 1914

oilPost-Impressionismnude painting (nu)figureslandscapenudestreesfoliagearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms, using color to define shapes, and understanding how to create a sense of depth with color temperature. It will also help with understanding how to create a harmonious color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and landscape elements, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, using simplified shapes for the figures and background.
step 03
Begin to define the forms of the figures with darker and lighter values of the local color.
step 04
Add details to the landscape, such as the trees, foliage, and buildings, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the color palette by adding subtle variations and highlights.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of the forms, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figures and landscape.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cerulean blue · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · violet · raw umber

Mixes of yellow ochre and white create the base skin tones, with touches of crimson and blue for shadows and highlights. Greens are achieved by mixing blue and yellow, and violets by mixing red and blue.

techniques