plate no. 0008
Autumn Trees
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating realistic tree branches. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations for natural landscapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the path.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending slightly for soft clouds.
- step 03
Establish the distant hills with a muted blue-gray tone, creating atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Paint the larger shapes of the trees with a base color of brown and ochre.
- step 05
Add details to the tree branches, using thin lines and varying the pressure for thickness.
- step 06
Block in the foliage and fields with varying shades of brown, yellow, and green.
- step 07
Add highlights to the foliage and trees to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as small branches and texture to the ground.
color palette
primary · sky blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · sap green
Mix the sky color by combining sky blue and titanium white, add a touch of burnt umber to create the distant hills. Create the foliage colors by mixing yellow ochre, raw sienna, and sap green.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·branch rendering
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the branches, resulting in a cluttered look.
- →Using too much detail in the background, flattening the perspective.
- →Not varying the colors enough, creating a monotonous landscape.
- →Making the tree trunks too uniform in color and shape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium (for oils)
- ·painting varnish
Use a medium-sized canvas for this project. If using oils, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
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