plate no. 8972

Forest before the storm

oilRealismlandscapetreesforestlandscapebirchgrasswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as rendering realistic textures of trees and foliage using varied brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin layer of blue, blending it towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the forest in the background, using a mix of browns and greens.
step 04
Begin layering the foliage on the trees, using different shades of green, brown, and yellow.
step 05
Paint the birch trees, paying attention to the texture and the patterns of the bark.
step 06
Add the details of the foreground, including the grass, water, and small plants.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create earth tones by mixing brown with blue, yellow, and white. Achieve the atmospheric perspective by adding more blue to distant objects.

techniques