plate no. 9759

Autumn Twilight in a Forest

Lin Fengmian, 1960

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeswaterbuildingslandscapemountainsreflections

some experience helpful

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice layering colors and creating reflections in water. Students can also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, buildings, and mountains.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with thin washes of color.
step 03
Add the dark masses of the mountains and the tree trunks.
step 04
Begin layering colors for the foliage, starting with darker shades and adding highlights.
step 05
Paint the buildings with simple shapes and values.
step 06
Create reflections in the water using vertical strokes and similar colors to the objects above.
step 07
Add details to the trees and buildings to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Refine the reflections and add final touches to the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations of browns and reds by mixing burnt sienna with ultramarine blue and cadmium red.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·color mixing
·creating reflections
·blocking in

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→making the reflections too perfect
→using colors straight from the tube without mixing
→not establishing a clear value structure

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium red, sap green, raw umber)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·palette knife
·water container

optional