plate no. 0258

The backwoods of St. Antony, Pontoise

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesgrassskypathfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the path.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees on either side of the canvas.
step 04
Lay in the base color for the grass, varying the greens.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to the grass to create texture and form.
step 06
Define the path with earth tones, adding subtle variations in color.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and grass, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and adjust the tone with white or umber. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the earth tones for the path.

techniques