plate no. 3087

Threatening Weather

James Charles

oilImpressionismlandscapefieldtreesskycloudshillfigures

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the hill and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue, gray, and white, capturing the cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the base colors of the field using ochre, brown, and green, varying the tones to create depth.
step 04
Add the trees, using dark greens and browns, and suggest the foliage with broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the hill in the background, using muted greens and browns to create a sense of distance.
step 06
Introduce the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement within the landscape.
step 07
Add details to the field, such as the haystacks, using short, textured brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors to lighten and desaturate them.

techniques