plate no. 0262

Springtime

Horia Bernea, 1987

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesfoliagehillsidevegetationsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushstrokes to capture the essence of a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line and the main shapes of the hillside and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light gray.
step 03
Establish the overall color of the hillside with a base layer of ochre and brown.
step 04
Begin layering greens for the foliage, varying the shades and tones to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using darker greens and browns for the trunks and branches.
step 06
Introduce highlights with lighter greens and yellows to suggest sunlight.
step 07
Refine the details and add texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · payne's gray

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Add small amounts of burnt sienna to darken and warm the greens.

techniques