plate no. 8553

Autumn

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesautumnfoliagehillssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the main trees and hills.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue-gray.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the hills and foreground with green and brown tones.
step 04
Add the tree trunks and branches using a thin brush and dark brown paint.
step 05
Apply the foliage using dabbing motions with a variety of yellows, oranges, and reds.
step 06
Layer in shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension in the foliage and landscape.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as grasses and rocks, using small brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · sap green

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and adjust the shade with white. Create the sky by mixing ultramarine blue and white, adding a touch of burnt sienna to neutralize the color. Achieve the autumn foliage colors by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and burnt sienna in varying proportions.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Creating a flat, uniform sky without subtle variations in tone.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, sap green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits