plate no. 7181
Summertime
Robert Spencer, 1920
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the effects of light on different surfaces. It's also good practice for depicting figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, figures, and landscape, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and areas of shadow with a thin wash of a neutral color like burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the buildings, water, and foliage, using a limited palette of earth tones and muted greens.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and texture in the buildings, focusing on the variations in tone and hue.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, paying attention to their poses and clothing.
- step 06
Develop the foreground with loose, expressive brushstrokes, capturing the texture of the vegetation and water.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · cadmium yellow light
Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, cerulean blue, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve the weathered look of the buildings by layering various earth tones and grays.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Creating colors that are too saturated and not harmonious with the overall palette.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
- →Making the figures too stiff or unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture.
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