plate no. 4543

Summertime (Picnic in May)

Karoly Ferenczy, 1906

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesfoliagepathsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountain, figures, and path.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, mountain, field, and foreground foliage.
step 03
Establish the basic values, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and texture in the landscape.
step 05
Add details to the figures, focusing on their shapes and gestures.
step 06
Refine the foliage in the foreground, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · sap green · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt umber to darken greens and create shadows. Achieve the pinkish hues in the figures' dresses by mixing white with a touch of red and blue.

techniques