plate no. 7698

Our Home in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

John French Sloan, 1908

oil, canvasNew Realismlandscapetreesskybuildingfigureslandscapeclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex forms using expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to depict light and shadow.

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: the house, the large tree, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, paying attention to the cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the trees and foliage with dark greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the house using a muted yellow and red palette, indicating light and shadow.
step 05
Add the figures in the foreground with simple, gestural strokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to emphasize the focal points.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ivory black

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and yellow ochre. Create muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to your colors. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques