plate no. 5105

Autumn

Milton Avery, 1944

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeautumnfieldhillsfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive landscape. Students can develop their understanding of color relationships and brushstroke techniques to convey texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, large masses of trees, field, and the prominent white tree.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of yellow.
step 03
Establish the main color areas: yellow field, brown hills, purple shapes, and the dark blue/black tree on the left.
step 04
Add texture to the field using short, broken brushstrokes of yellow and orange.
step 05
Define the shapes of the trees in the background with varying shades of brown and hints of black.
step 06
Paint the white tree, paying attention to the negative space between the branches.
step 07
Refine the details and edges of the purple shapes, blending slightly where they meet the other colors.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · purple · ultramarine blue · black

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt sienna with black and yellow ochre. Create the purple by mixing red and blue, adjusting the ratio for different tones. The field is mostly yellow ochre with touches of burnt sienna.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush
·color mixing
·simplification
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive quality.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a less harmonious palette.
→Not establishing the basic shapes accurately in the initial sketch.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.