plate no. 9930

Autumn Design

Charles Reiffel, 1922

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapefoliagepathbuildingsnature

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using broken color techniques to represent light and shadow in a natural setting. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees, buildings, and path, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant background with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of foliage with broad strokes, using a mix of greens, yellows, and reds.
step 04
Begin layering colors within the foliage to create depth and variation, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the trees and buildings, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Define the path with a mix of earth tones, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · raw umber

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create variations by adding white, brown, or red. Achieve earth tones by mixing brown, yellow, and red. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance
→neglecting the importance of value contrast
→getting bogged down in details too early
→not simplifying the complex foliage into manageable shapes

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time between layers.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein