plate no. 6866

Spring Landscape

Emil Carlsen, 1910

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeswaterlandscapeskyfoliagelake

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to create atmospheric perspective and soft, blended color transitions. Students will practice layering and scumbling techniques to achieve the hazy, impressionistic effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, land, and water, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray-blue, blending it softly.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees with a mix of browns and greens.
step 04
Add the lighter greens of the foliage, using broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, reflecting the colors of the sky and trees.
step 06
Develop the details of the trees, adding branches and twigs with a fine brush.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · gray-blue · sap green · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw sienna

Achieve the muted greens by mixing sap green with burnt umber and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the atmospheric haze by adding white to the colors and blending softly.

techniques