plate no. 4381

The South Wind

Tom Roberts, 1924

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeskycloudshillsfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques to create depth and learn to use visible brushstrokes to convey texture and movement. It also provides practice in capturing atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main tree trunks and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, focusing on the cloud shapes.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the distant hills and foreground foliage.
step 04
Begin layering the colors of the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the trees and foliage to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the branches and leaves, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · sap green · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and burnt umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding white to the blues and greens for distant elements.

techniques