plate no. 1716

Baum vorm Traxlmayr

Gazmend Freitag, 2021

oil, canvasRealismlandscapetreebuildingleavescityscapenightreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow in a nighttime scene, as well as creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in representing architectural forms and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, tree, and ground, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the dark background and general color scheme with thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the buildings, focusing on the warm light emanating from within.
step 04
Paint the tree trunk and branches, using dark values and visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add the foliage, using a variety of yellows, oranges, and greens to represent the leaves.
step 06
Create the reflections in the wet ground, mirroring the colors and shapes of the buildings and lights.
step 07
Add details such as windows, lights, and individual leaves to enhance realism.
step 08
Refine the values and colors, ensuring a balance between light and shadow.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of yellow and orange by combining yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, and burnt umber. Achieve darker tones by adding ultramarine blue to burnt umber.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·impasto
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast to create depth.
→Failing to capture the warm glow of the artificial lights.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition.