plate no. 6571

Radiant Sunset

Wojciech Weiss, 1902

oilExpressionismlandscapesunsetlandscapetreesfieldsskysun

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and using expressive brushstrokes to convey emotion. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the trees and the sun.
step 02
Block in the sky with light yellows and oranges, blending them softly.
step 03
Establish the distant hills with muted blues and purples.
step 04
Paint the fields with broad strokes of reds, oranges, and browns, suggesting the direction of the furrows.
step 05
Add the dark shapes of the trees, using thick paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Create the sun's rays by pulling light yellow paint outwards from the central point.
step 07
Add small details and highlights to the fields and trees to create texture and interest.
step 08
Refine the colors and values to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix yellows with white for the sun and sky. Combine blues and reds for the distant hills. Use burnt sienna and ultramarine for the dark trees and foreground.

techniques