plate no. 3888

Three peasant women with trees

oil, panelRealismgenre paintingfigurestreeslandscapewomenfoliageshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and using a limited palette to convey mood. Students will also practice rendering figures in shadow and suggesting details rather than explicitly defining them.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown or gray.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main tree trunk.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the painting, paying attention to the overall shapes and values.
step 04
Begin adding the mid-tones, gradually building up the forms of the figures and the surrounding foliage.
step 05
Introduce the lightest values, focusing on areas where light is breaking through the trees.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, such as the folds in their clothing and the contours of their faces.
step 07
Add subtle variations in color to create depth and interest.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall values and composition to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the darkest shadows. Use raw sienna and yellow ochre for highlights, and add alizarin crimson to warm up certain areas.

techniques