plate no. 8572

Western Kansas

oil, canvasLuminismlandscapelandscapetreesskywaterbisonsunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to achieve a luminous effect. Students will also learn how to create realistic textures for trees and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, water, and bison.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall tonal values of the sky and landscape.
step 03
Block in the sky with blended layers of orange, yellow, and blue, creating a sunset effect.
step 04
Paint the distant landscape with muted colors to create atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add the trees, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details like branches and leaves.
step 06
Paint the water, reflecting the sky and trees, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the bison, paying attention to their shapes and shadows.
step 08
Refine the details, such as the foliage in the foreground and the highlights on the trees.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · raw umber · alizarin crimson

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the sunset. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cooler tones in the sky and water. Add a touch of alizarin crimson to deepen the shadows.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the luminous effect.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Ignoring the reflections in the water.