plate no. 4339

Birch grow

Max Liebermann

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapefigurespathfoliage

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the path.
step 02
Establish the background colors with thin washes of green and blue, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees with a mid-tone gray-brown.
step 04
Add highlights to the trees using lighter shades of gray and white, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Develop the foliage with short, broken brushstrokes of various greens, yellows, and browns.
step 06
Paint the path with a mix of grays and browns, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Add the figures in the background with simple shapes and colors.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre or raw umber. Achieve grays by mixing raw umber and titanium white, adjusting the ratio for different values. Use small amounts of cerulean blue to create atmospheric haze.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating too much contrast and flattening the sense of depth.
→Using too much pure color without mixing, resulting in a less harmonious palette.
→Neglecting the importance of atmospheric perspective in creating distance.