plate no. 1868

Spots of Sunlight on the Terrace

oil, cardboardPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapefiguresterracesunlightfoliage

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for learning about simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a strong visual impact. Students will practice blocking in shapes and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: the terrace, figures, trees, and sky.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: red for the terrace, green for the sky, and dark green for the trees.
step 03
Add the orange tones to the foreground of the terrace.
step 04
Define the shapes of the figures with slightly lighter shades of red and a touch of yellow.
step 05
Add details to the trees with darker greens and blues.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add highlights to the figures and terrace with touches of yellow and orange.
step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · red · green · orange · dark green

secondary · yellow · blue

Mix different shades of red by adding orange or a touch of yellow. Create darker greens by mixing green with blue or black. Use white to lighten colors sparingly.

techniques

·blocking in
·visible brushstrokes
·color mixing
·simplifying forms
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details.
→Using too many colors.
→Not simplifying the forms enough.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.

materials

surface · Canvas panel or stretched canvas

required

·Oil paints (red, green, orange, dark green, yellow, blue)
·Canvas or cardboard panel
·Brushes (various sizes, including a flat brush)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil or other painting medium

optional

·Easel
·Rags
·Odorless mineral spirits

Using a limited palette will help to create a cohesive and harmonious painting. Experiment with different brushstrokes to create texture and interest.

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