plate no. 1850

A Young tree

Emily Carr, 1931

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreelandscapemountainsfoliageabstractfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and practice blending techniques to create smooth transitions between values. It also encourages exploration of expressive brushwork to define form and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the tree, mountains, and figure, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the background and the shadows within the tree and figure.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones, blending the edges to create soft transitions.
step 04
Introduce the highlights, focusing on the areas where light is most intense.
step 05
Refine the details of the tree's form and the figure, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
step 06
Add subtle color variations to create depth and interest.
step 07
Check the overall balance of values and colors, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the focal points.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna

Achieve the various shades of green by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and burnt umber. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix burnt umber with raw sienna to create the reddish-brown tones of the figure.

techniques

·blending
·layering
·value studies
·expressive brushwork
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat image.
→Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes, which can affect the form of the tree and figure.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a lack of harmony.