plate no. 0271
Ahuehuetes de Chapultepec
Jose Maria Velasco, 1872
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as understanding how to depict complex foliage using simplified brushstrokes.
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 large tree mass and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of pink and white, blending the colors softly.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and foliage using dark browns and greens.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and browns to create highlights and variations in the foliage.
- step 05
Add details to the tree trunks and branches, using a smaller brush.
- step 06
Paint the foreground with a mix of greens, browns, and yellows, suggesting grass and vegetation.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue. Create browns by mixing burnt umber with alizarin crimson or yellow ochre. Achieve the pink sky by mixing titanium white with a touch of alizarin crimson.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
- →Not paying attention to the values, which can make the painting look muddy.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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