plate no. 8864

Sunset

Tom Thomson, 1915

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapesunsetskylaketreeslandscapereflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for atmospheric effects and practice applying thick, expressive brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in capturing a mood with color and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic horizon line and the silhouette of the trees.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky: red, yellow, and green.
step 03
Add the dark mass of the trees and the water reflection.
step 04
Begin layering brushstrokes within each color area, varying the direction and pressure.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of each color and apply them to create depth and texture.
step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, mirroring the colors of the sky.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the trees and sky.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall balance of colors and values.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · green · black

secondary · orange · brown

Mix various shades of red by adding small amounts of yellow or brown. Create greens by mixing yellow and blue, and adjust the shade with red or brown. Achieve the dark tones by mixing black with small amounts of red, blue, or brown.

techniques