plate no. 8352
Road Scene, Cincinnati
John Henry Twachtman, 1878
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice atmospheric perspective and limited palette color mixing. It also provides an opportunity to study the use of visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road, horizon line, and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light and dark tones, creating the cloud formations.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the field and road, using a mix of browns and grays.
- step 04
Add the fence line, paying attention to perspective and the diminishing size of the posts.
- step 05
Paint the figure with simple shapes and values, suggesting form without excessive detail.
- step 06
Develop the texture of the road with visible brushstrokes, indicating snow and mud.
- step 07
Refine the sky and field with subtle color variations and value changes.
- step 08
Add final details, such as highlights on the fence and figure, and adjust the overall balance of the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ivory black · burnt sienna
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of black. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette mixing
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of raw umber) can be helpful for establishing the overall color harmony.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
