plate no. 8861

Asleep in the Woods

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfiguretreeforestsquirrelfoliagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures, particularly tree bark and foliage, as well as practice creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to paint figures in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, tree, and major landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the tree trunk and foliage, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin refining the figure, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 05
Add details to the tree bark, using a variety of brushstrokes and colors to create texture.
step 06
Develop the foliage, using small, broken brushstrokes to suggest individual leaves.
step 07
Paint the squirrel, paying attention to its anatomy and fur texture.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, ensuring a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Achieve the various greens by mixing ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Mix burnt umber and cadmium red for the squirrel.

techniques