plate no. 0620
Springtime
Robert Lewis Reid, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as using broken color techniques to represent light and shadow in a landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex natural forms into impressionistic brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, trees, and stream.
- step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and white, blending softly.
- step 03
Block in the general shapes of the trees and foliage with varying shades of green.
- step 04
Add darker greens and browns to define the shadows and create depth in the foliage.
- step 05
Paint the stream using blues, browns, and greens, reflecting the colors of the surrounding landscape.
- step 06
Add highlights to the water and foliage with lighter shades of green, yellow, and white.
- step 07
Introduce small touches of white and pink to represent the blossoms on the trees.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of atmosphere and light.
color palette
primary · sap green · titanium white · cerulean blue · raw umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations by adding white, umber, or crimson. Achieve the blossom colors by mixing white with a touch of crimson or yellow.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much green without variations in hue and value.
- →Creating flat, lifeless foliage without depth.
- →Neglecting the reflections in the stream.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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