plate no. 7079

Crystal Light

Erin Hanson, 2016

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeshadowsfieldskysunlight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how light and shadow create form and depth. It also encourages experimentation with color to represent light and atmosphere.

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 trees and the horizon line, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the light source and map out the major shadow patterns.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color in the sky and distant landscape using thin washes.
step 04
Begin applying thicker paint for the foreground, focusing on the shapes of the shadows and sunlit areas.
step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to create the texture of the grass and foliage.
step 06
Add details to the trees, using a smaller brush to define the branches and twigs.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the contrast and saturation as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange · sap green

secondary · alizarin crimson · dioxazine purple · titanium white

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the vibrant oranges by mixing cadmium orange with touches of yellow ochre and alizarin crimson. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·directional brushstrokes
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the underlying structure of the landscape and focusing only on the surface details.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the light and shadow.
→Using too much paint, which can make the painting look heavy and overworked.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium orange, sap green, alizarin crimson, dioxazine purple, titanium white)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags