plate no. 2147

Summer Days, Camden Maine, the Bellows Family

Leon Kroll, 1916

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeshousefigureslandscapefoliagelawn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the effects of light filtering through trees. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the composition: the house, trees, and figures.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, foliage, grass, and the house's walls.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Begin layering greens and yellows to create the dappled light effect in the foliage and grass.
step 05
Add details to the house, such as windows and architectural features.
step 06
Refine the figures, paying attention to their poses and clothing.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 08
Review and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining viridian green, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns by combining burnt umber with small amounts of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue.

techniques