plate no. 1866

Sunlight and Shadow

Robert Julian Onderdonk, 1910

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapecloudshillstreesskygrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and broken color techniques to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light and shadow on a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the light and dark areas of the clouds.
step 03
Lay in the distant hills with muted colors, using cooler tones for areas further away.
step 04
Establish the mid-ground with darker values and more saturated colors.
step 05
Paint the foreground, adding details to the grass and bushes.
step 06
Add highlights to the clouds and foliage to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · sap green · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of green for the foliage by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue and white to colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques

·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic image.
→Not paying attention to the values, which can flatten the overall composition.