plate no. 5227

The Priest

Frits Thaulow

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreesbuildingslandscapefigurevillagepath

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, buildings, and path.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light, warm colors.
step 03
Block in the dark values of the trees and buildings, paying attention to the overall shapes.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights, working from the background to the foreground.
step 05
Add details to the trees, such as leaves and branches, using varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Render the brickwork of the buildings, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 07
Paint the figure, keeping it simple and suggestive.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · viridian green · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Achieve brick tones by mixing cadmium red, burnt umber, and a touch of white. Use ultramarine blue to darken the greens and browns.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, especially in the foliage and brickwork.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
→Not varying brushstrokes enough, resulting in a monotonous texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (viridian green, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags