plate no. 3872

Burnt Land at Sunset

Tom Thomson, 1915

oil, woodPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesskycloudslandscapeforest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and color mixing to create atmospheric effects. It also provides practice in depicting depth through layering and brushstroke direction.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and hints of pink and orange for the clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark mass of the distant forest using a mix of dark greens and blues.
step 04
Paint the foreground with broad strokes of green, blue, and brown, indicating the grassy area.
step 05
Add the tree trunks and branches using dark blues and purples, varying the thickness of the lines.
step 06
Apply thicker paint with visible brushstrokes to create texture and dimension in the clouds and foreground.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and add highlights to the foreground to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · purple · yellow ochre

Mix white with blue to create the sky. Combine burnt sienna with white and a touch of red for the clouds. Use blue and green for the distant forest. Mix blue, green, and brown for the foreground.

techniques