plate no. 9035

A Rushing Sea of Undergrowth

Emily Carr, 1935

oilCubismlandscapetreesforestlandscapeundergrowthsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to use color to create depth and movement. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into more abstract shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the undulating ground.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of dark blue, leaving some areas lighter.
step 03
Establish the darkest areas of the undergrowth with a dark green mix.
step 04
Begin layering the greens of the undergrowth, using visible brushstrokes to suggest movement.
step 05
Add the tree trunks, varying the color to create depth.
step 06
Paint the foliage of the trees, using short, directional strokes to follow the form.
step 07
Introduce lighter greens and yellows to the undergrowth to create highlights.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust values to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of green by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows.

techniques