plate no. 8596
Sillon
Willard Metcalf, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the impressionistic style through visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of key elements like the buildings and trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest clouds.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the hills and fields, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns.
- step 04
Paint the distant trees and buildings with muted colors to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 05
Add the main trees in the foreground, focusing on capturing the color variations in their foliage.
- step 06
Develop the texture of the fields and foreground using short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add details like the cows and any small bushes or rocks.
- step 08
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create earth tones by mixing brown, yellow, and blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, which can flatten the painting.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture.
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