plate no. 7330

Eucalyptus and palm

Moise Kisling, 1935

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeskyfoliagepalm treeseucalyptus

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in observing subtle value changes to model forms in nature. It also provides practice in capturing the unique textures of different types of trees.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 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 main color areas for the sky, ground, and foliage using diluted washes.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the trees, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually adding lighter tones.
step 04
Focus on capturing the texture of the eucalyptus leaves with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the palm tree, paying attention to the shape and direction of the fronds.
step 06
Refine the ground and background foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the small details like the branches and flowers.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall color balance and value contrast.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and use white to lighten values. Create earth tones by mixing umber with yellow ochre and small amounts of red or blue.

techniques