plate no. 2201
Fire-Swept Hills
Tom Thomson, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to create depth through color and value changes. It also encourages experimentation with non-realistic color palettes to convey mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of pink and orange.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas of the hills using broad strokes.
- step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the hills.
- step 05
Introduce variations in color within each hill section, using blues, greens, and purples.
- step 06
Paint the vertical tree trunks with thin, dark lines.
- step 07
Add highlights to the foreground using lighter shades of white and blue.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium orange · sap green · dioxazine purple
Mix blues and purples with white to create the cool tones in the hills. Use orange and sienna for the warmer areas. Combine blue and green for the foliage.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
- →Using too much detail in the background.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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