plate no. 6151
Vermont Hills, November
Willard Metcalf, 1923
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow across a landscape. It also provides an opportunity to practice loose, expressive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, sky, and foreground, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of blues, grays, and whites, blending softly.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the hills, using a mix of yellows, greens, and browns.
- step 04
Layer in darker values to create shadows and define the contours of the hills.
- step 05
Add details to the foreground, including trees, bushes, and cows.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- step 07
Add final details, such as highlights on the trees and cows.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · sap green · violet
Mix yellow ochre with ultramarine blue and white to create the various greens and yellows of the hills. Use burnt umber to darken the shadows and add depth. Mix violet with white to create the distant mountains.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive brushwork.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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