plate no. 1445
Rainy Weather at Hampton Court
Alfred William Finch, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using broken color techniques to represent light and texture. Students will also practice creating a sense of perspective through color and brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, tree trunks, and fence.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light gray and blue.
- step 03
Establish the basic colors of the field, using greens, yellows, and browns, blending loosely.
- step 04
Paint the tree trunks with thin browns and grays, varying the thickness and spacing.
- step 05
Add the foliage using short, broken strokes of green, blue, and gray, layering colors to create depth.
- step 06
Paint the fence with dark browns and grays, suggesting the texture of the wood.
- step 07
Refine the details of the trees and field, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired atmospheric effect.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White
secondary · Burnt Umber · Sap Green · Payne's Gray
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and grays by mixing blue, brown, and white. Use white to lighten colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
techniques
- ·Broken color
- ·Layering
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Scumbling
- ·Impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to vary the colors and textures of the trees and field.
- →Not paying attention to the overall atmospheric effect.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Oil paints
- ·Round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·Flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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