plate no. 0116

Summer Landscape

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapebuildingsskyfieldshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow across a landscape. It also provides practice in rendering tree forms with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, noting the placement of trees, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of muted blues and grays.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the trees and buildings with simplified colors.
step 04
Begin layering colors within the trees to create depth and variation in the foliage.
step 05
Add shadows to the ground and buildings, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding smaller branches and leaves with expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for warm highlights, and ultramarine blue with raw umber for cooler shadows.

techniques