plate no. 0782
Flotsam-Allagash
Neil Welliver, 1995
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex shapes and using a limited color palette to create depth and form. It also encourages practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the large stump, the distant shoreline, and the water line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, water, land, and the general tone of the stump.
- step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows and contours of the stump and the trees.
- step 04
Begin adding the lighter values to create highlights and volume, especially on the stump's roots.
- step 05
Paint the details of the trees on the shoreline, focusing on their simplified shapes.
- step 06
Add the vertical tree trunks in the water, paying attention to their reflections.
- step 07
Refine the details and edges of the stump, adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · white · blue · green · yellow
secondary · black · grey
Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and water. Combine green and yellow for the foliage, and use black and white to create shades of grey for the stump.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the details of the stump and trees.
- →Using too many colors, which can muddy the overall effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Use a canvas with a medium texture to help create the desired brushstroke effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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