plate no. 5783

Summer Storm

oilTonalismlandscapetreeslandscapeskycloudshillsfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth and texture in a landscape. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing to achieve a harmonious tonal effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, horizon line, and cloud formations.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the sky and clouds, using soft blending techniques to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 04
Paint the distant hills and foliage, paying attention to atmospheric perspective by using muted colors and softer edges.
step 05
Develop the foreground trees and foliage, adding more detail and texture with varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Mix and apply highlights to the trees and foliage to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final touches such as small branches and highlights to enhance the realism and depth of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · raw sienna · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or crimson. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the warm highlights in the foliage.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a painting that lacks harmony.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat and uninteresting composition.
→Neglecting the importance of soft edges and subtle transitions in the sky and distant landscape.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags

optional

·medium (e.g., Liquin)
·varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to facilitate layering and blending. Consider using a toned canvas for a head start on establishing the value structure.

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