plate no. 8766

Flowering Meadow with Trees

Richard Gerstl, 1907

oilPointillismlandscapetreesmeadowgrassfoliagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest form and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and meadow, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: dark greens for shadows, lighter greens for highlights.
step 03
Begin layering short, broken brushstrokes of different green and yellow hues to create the texture of the grass and foliage.
step 04
Add darker values to the tree trunks and branches to define their forms.
step 05
Introduce small touches of blue and purple in the sky and foliage to create visual interest.
step 06
Refine the details, paying attention to the direction and density of the brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the grass and leaves to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Burnt umber can be used to darken greens and create shadows.

techniques