plate no. 1602

Flowering apple tree

Ivan Grohar, 1907

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapechurchbuildingskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and layering to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into abstract shapes.

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 church, building, and tree trunk using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of diluted paint to the entire canvas.
step 03
Begin layering in the background elements like the sky and distant foliage using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Focus on the middle ground, building up the texture of the flowering tree with dabs of color.
step 05
Add the darker values in the foreground, defining the shape of the tree trunk and the shadows in the grass.
step 06
Refine the details of the church and building, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 07
Add highlights to the foliage to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Review the painting as a whole and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · violet

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Create subtle variations by adding small amounts of white or violet. Use burnt umber and violet to create the darker tones of the tree trunk and buildings.

techniques