plate no. 1906

The valley of the Oise

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapebuildingsskyfieldsvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible brushstrokes and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in a landscape. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations within a seemingly monochromatic scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of light blue, white, and hints of yellow.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape with muted greens and browns, paying attention to the receding perspective.
step 04
Begin layering the foreground vegetation with various shades of green, yellow, and brown, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the darker tones of the trees, using a mix of dark green, brown, and black.
step 06
Introduce highlights to the trees and vegetation with lighter shades of green and yellow.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings in the distance, using small brushstrokes to suggest their form.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow

Achieve the various greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use burnt umber to darken the greens and create shadows. Mix cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow for warmth.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations within the greens.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
→Getting lost in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (viridian green, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, cerulean blue, cadmium yellow)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags