plate no. 7777

Campfire

Tom Thomson, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreestentcampfireforestnightlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, creating texture with brushstrokes, and understanding the interplay of light and shadow in a nighttime scene. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

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 tent, campfire, and surrounding trees.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a dark brown or black mixture.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the trees and foliage using dark greens and blues.
step 04
Paint the tent with a muted blue, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Add the bright yellow light emanating from the tent's opening.
step 06
Paint the campfire with reds, oranges, and yellows, paying attention to the flickering flames.
step 07
Add details to the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix dark greens by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the tent color by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber to mute it. Achieve the fire's glow with cadmium yellow and cadmium red, blended and layered.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Making the colors too saturated and not capturing the muted tones of the nighttime scene.
→Failing to establish a strong value contrast between the light and dark areas.
→Not simplifying the forms and trying to paint every leaf and branch.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·varnish

Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a more harmonious painting.

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