plate no. 4375

Fontainebleau Oaks

oilRealismlandscapetreeslandscapeskygrassfieldcows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering and color mixing. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of foliage with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of white, gray, and hints of blue.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees, using a mix of browns and greens.
step 04
Add layers of lighter greens and yellows to the foreground to represent the grass.
step 05
Develop the foliage of the trees with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the colors to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as individual blades of grass and small plants.
step 07
Indicate the cows with simple shapes and muted colors.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, paying attention to the balance of light and shadow.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · cadmium yellow

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze. Mix browns and greens to create the foliage.

techniques