plate no. 7660

Ancient Tree

Eyvind Earle, 1992

oilMagic Realismlandscapetreesforestlandscapefoliagebrancheslight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create texture and depth, as well as practice creating a sense of light and atmosphere within a complex composition. It also encourages precise line work and detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and branches, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow and green.
step 03
Begin layering darker greens and browns on the tree trunks to create the base shadows.
step 04
Add highlights using lighter greens and yellows, focusing on areas where light hits the trees.
step 05
Introduce small amounts of red and blue to create variation and visual interest in the bark texture.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add the delicate lines that define the edges of the branches and bark.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and bring the painting to life.