plate no. 8688
Autumn Algoma
J. E. H. MacDonald, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible brushstrokes and capturing reflections in water. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the main tree.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, distant trees, and foreground foliage.
- step 03
Add the darker greens and blues to the forest area using vertical brushstrokes to suggest the tree trunks.
- step 04
Apply the yellows, oranges, and reds to the foliage with short, choppy brushstrokes.
- step 05
Create the reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes of the landscape above, using horizontal strokes.
- step 06
Add details to the main tree, using dark browns and blacks to define the branches.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall composition as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · sap green
secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · titanium white
Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow. Achieve variations in foliage color by mixing burnt sienna with yellows and reds. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Making the reflections too perfect and symmetrical.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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