plate no. 7038

The Sunny South

oilImpressionismgenre paintingtreesfigureslandscapefoliageskywater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering light and shadow in a landscape, as well as capturing the human form in a natural setting. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, figures, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky, water, and ground.
step 03
Establish the main light source and begin to define the shadows on the trees and figures.
step 04
Add details to the trees, including the leaves and branches, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the figures, paying attention to their proportions and anatomy.
step 06
Develop the foreground foliage, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 07
Add highlights to the painting, focusing on areas where the light is strongest.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow. Achieve earth tones by blending burnt umber with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use alizarin crimson to add warmth to shadows.

techniques