plate no. 1838

Autumn landscape

Mikhaïl Nesterov, 1934

oilSymbolismlandscapetreeslakeforestfigureautumnreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a natural landscape. It also provides practice in depicting reflections in water and rendering the human figure within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, lake, and figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the sky, water, forest, and foreground.
step 03
Begin layering colors to create the texture of the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the reflections in the water, paying attention to the color and value relationships.
step 05
Add details to the figure, focusing on the light and shadow on the clothing.
step 06
Refine the foreground, adding details such as grasses and fallen leaves.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining the primary colors with small amounts of blue and red. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·scumbling
·broken color
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth in the landscape.
→Making the reflections too literal and not capturing the subtle distortions of the water.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the muted tones of autumn.