plate no. 2674

The Storm

Theophile Steinlen, 1914

oilRealismlandscapelandscapestormfieldskytreesbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use hatching and cross-hatching to create value and texture. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the horizon line and the placement of major elements.
step 02
Begin with the sky, using light, directional strokes to indicate the rain and clouds.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the foreground and gradually lighten the values as you move towards the horizon.
step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching to build up the values in the field, varying the density and direction of the lines to create texture.
step 05
Add details to the trees and buildings, using finer lines and darker values to define their shapes.
step 06
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow, and use this to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches to complete the painting.