plate no. 8116

STREAMS IN EAST HUNGARY

Marianne Stokes, 1909

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeswaterfigureslandscapestreamfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the subtle reflections in water. It also encourages observation of light and shadow in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, stream, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the trees and foliage, using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Begin layering colors in the trees to create depth and texture, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the stream, paying attention to the reflections of the trees and sky.
step 06
Add details to the figures, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 07
Refine the foreground with details of grass, rocks, and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create earth tones by mixing browns with blues and reds. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·wet-on-dry layering
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the trees, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle reflections in the water.
→Using too much white, which can make the colors appear chalky.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective, which can flatten the depth of the painting.