plate no. 7316

Summer

Maxfield Parrish, 1908

oilSymbolismsymbolic paintingfigureroseslandscapewaterfallmountainsfoliage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in glazing, layering colors to achieve luminosity, and rendering realistic skin tones in a stylized manner. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a smooth, toned ground (e.g., burnt sienna wash).
step 02
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: figure, roses, landscape.
step 03
Establish the basic color blocks for the background landscape, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones of the figure, using thin glazes to build up depth and form.
step 05
Paint the roses, paying attention to the subtle color variations and highlights.
step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, including the waterfall and foliage.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure and roses.
step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the painting and enhance the overall luminosity.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · sap green

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white with small amounts of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue for shadows. The rose colors are created by mixing alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, and white.

techniques