plate no. 5480

Under a Southern Sun (Timber Splitter's Camp)

oilImpressionismgenre paintinglandscapetreefiguretentfieldsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. Students will also gain experience with impressionistic brushwork.

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 tree, figures, and tent.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of the landscape with broad strokes of yellow, brown, and green.
step 04
Add the tree trunk and branches, using a mix of brown and white to create highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the figures and tent, simplifying their forms and using muted colors.
step 06
Develop the foreground with textured brushstrokes, adding details like logs and twigs.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · raw sienna · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and white for the sky, yellows and browns for the landscape, and add touches of red for warmth. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques