plate no. 0879

Autumn in Orillia

Franklin Carmichael, 1924

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapetreesforestautumnlandscapefoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and forms. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a season through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the background sky with a thin layer of teal.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the trees, focusing on the overall shapes rather than individual leaves.
step 04
Begin layering different shades of orange, yellow, and red to create depth and variation in the foliage.
step 05
Add the bare branches using thin, gestural strokes of white and brown.
step 06
Introduce darker tones in the foreground to create contrast and ground the scene.
step 07
Refine the details of the foliage and branches, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red · teal

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · sap green

Mix various shades of orange by combining yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and cadmium red. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix teal from blue and green with a touch of white.

techniques