plate no. 1667
Summer day in Abramtsevo
Ilya Repin, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering foliage with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle light and shadow variations in a natural setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: the building, the path, the figure, and the tree masses.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, foliage, and ground, using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin layering in details, focusing on the light and shadow patterns on the building and trees.
- step 04
Use broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the foliage and grass.
- step 05
Add the figure, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the overall silhouette.
- step 06
Refine the details of the path and the architectural elements, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber to darken the greens and create shadows. Mix titanium white with small amounts of other colors to create highlights and atmospheric effects.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating too much contrast and flattening the sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
- →Neglecting the importance of value relationships in creating form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·view finder
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
