plate no. 5588

Women on the Grass

Camil Ressu, 1936

oilImpressionismgenre paintingrivertreesfiguresgrasslandscapefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve naturalistic tones and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in foliage and water.

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 figures, trees, and river.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, water, grass, and figures using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering colors in the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Develop the reflections in the water, paying attention to color and value relationships.
step 05
Add details to the figures, focusing on the folds in their clothing and the highlights on their forms.
step 06
Refine the grass and foreground elements, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Achieve earth tones by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and small amounts of red or blue.

techniques