plate no. 2018

Portrait Study in Spring Landscape

oilNew Realismsketch and studyfigurelandscapetreesflowersskygrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating textures with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a figure within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, tree, and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted color to establish the overall tones of the sky, landscape, and figure.
step 03
Layer in darker values to define the shadows and contours of the figure and landscape elements.
step 04
Add details to the face, clothing, and flowers, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Build up texture in the grass and foliage with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details to the tree blossoms and any other focal points.
step 08
Evaluate the overall balance and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of green by combining blues, yellows, and browns. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Achieve muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques