plate no. 4033

Cedar

Emily Carr, 1942

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesforestlandscapefoliagecedartrunk

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using directional brushstrokes to suggest form and movement. It also provides practice in simplifying complex natural forms into expressive shapes.

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 tree trunk and surrounding foliage, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darker greens and browns.
step 03
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows to create highlights and define the shapes of the leaves.
step 04
Use directional brushstrokes to follow the curves and contours of the foliage, adding a sense of movement.
step 05
Add details to the tree trunk, using browns and reds to create texture and depth.
step 06
Paint the hanging vines with thin lines of reddish-brown.
step 07
Refine the edges of the foliage and add any final details.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · viridian green · sap green · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix different shades of green by combining viridian green and sap green with varying amounts of yellow ochre and white. Use burnt umber and cadmium red to create the brown and reddish tones for the tree trunk and vines.

techniques

·directional brushstrokes
·layering
·color mixing
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating flat, lifeless colors by not layering and mixing effectively.
→Failing to capture the sense of depth and movement in the foliage.
→Ignoring the importance of directional brushstrokes in defining form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·apron

Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) to allow for sufficient detail. Acrylics are a good choice for beginners due to their fast drying time and ease of use.

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