plate no. 8984

Two Seated Girls on a Meadow

oil, canvasRealismlandscapelandscapefiguresmeadowtreesskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will allow students to practice layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow across a landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

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 horizon line, the placement of the figures, and the major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the basic color tones of the meadow, hills, and trees, using broad strokes.
step 04
Add details to the trees, varying the colors to suggest foliage and depth.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the rocks and hills, paying attention to the way light falls on them.
step 06
Paint the figures, focusing on their basic forms and the colors of their clothing.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension and form.
step 08
Refine the details and blend the colors to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow light. Achieve muted tones by adding raw umber to other colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques