plate no. 0287

Summer Landscape

oilImpressionismlandscapefieldhaystacksskytreeslandscapehorizon

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice layering and creating depth using atmospheric perspective. Students can also learn to depict textures using visible brushstrokes and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the horizon line and placement of haystacks.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of muted gray-brown, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the distant landscape with horizontal strokes, using lighter and cooler tones to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the line of trees with darker greens and browns, suggesting form with simple shapes.
step 05
Block in the field with a base layer of yellow ochre and raw sienna.
step 06
Add the haystacks, building up layers of warm yellows, oranges, and browns to create volume and texture.
step 07
Use short, broken brushstrokes to suggest individual stalks of grass in the foreground.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the haystacks and foreground.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · viridian green

Mix muted grays for the sky by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve the golden hues of the haystacks by blending yellow ochre, raw sienna, and burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the greens for the distant trees.

techniques