plate no. 5305
Summer day
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and modeling form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in depicting realistic textures of foliage and water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
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, river, trees, and main groups of cows.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending towards the horizon.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the landscape with broad strokes of green and brown, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Add the darker values in the trees and shadows to create depth.
- step 05
Begin layering colors to define the foliage, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns.
- step 06
Paint the river, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape, and add lily pads.
- step 07
Add details to the cows, paying attention to their form and color.
- step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the hue with browns. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating flat, uniform areas of color without variation.
- →Ignoring the effects of light and shadow on the landscape.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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