plate no. 9823

Windham Village

Julian Alden Weir, 1914

oil, panelImpressionismlandscapetreesbuildingslandscapevillageskyfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a landscape. It also provides practice in rendering the complex structure of bare trees.

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 placement of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the sky and then the ground.
step 03
Add the basic shapes of the buildings, using light washes of color.
step 04
Begin to build up the layers of color in the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and doors.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add the figure and any other small details.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · viridian

Mix various shades of green and brown by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Use burnt sienna and cadmium yellow to create warmer tones for the buildings and ground.

techniques