plate no. 6195
When Nature Painted all Things Gay
Alfred Parsons, 1887
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and creating soft, diffused light.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the horizon line and major elements.
- step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and whites, blending softly.
- step 03
Block in the distant trees and hills with muted greens and browns, using thin washes.
- step 04
Paint the stream using darker blues and grays in the shadows and lighter tones where the light reflects.
- step 05
Add the larger trees in the foreground, building up layers of greens and browns for the foliage and bark.
- step 06
Paint the sheep as simplified shapes with variations of white and gray.
- step 07
Add the figure with muted earth tones, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 08
Refine details such as the blossoms on the trees and small highlights throughout the painting.
color palette
primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix greens by blending sap green with raw umber and yellow ochre. Create variations in the sky by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of raw umber. Use burnt sienna and raw umber to create the darker tones in the trees and shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating too much contrast in the distant elements.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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