plate no. 0232
A Danish forest in summer
Wenzel Tornøe, 1903
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber to establish the underpainting and tonal values.
- step 03
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it softly.
- step 04
Begin layering the greens for the trees and foliage, starting with darker shades and gradually adding lighter highlights.
- step 05
Paint the field with a mix of browns, yellows, and greens, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add the details of the flowers in the foreground, using small brushstrokes and varying shades of white.
- step 07
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves with a fine brush.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow
Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use burnt umber to create darker shadows and to tone down the greens.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using too much green without varying the shades and tones.
- →Creating flat, lifeless foliage by not layering colors.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and failing to create depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints (sap green, yellow ochre, titanium white, cerulean blue, burnt umber, raw sienna)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
