plate no. 1805

Forest

Max Ernst, 1927

oil, canvasSurrealismsymbolic paintingforesttreesarchitectureskyabstractlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the arch and vertical structures.
step 02
Establish the background sky with blended blues and purples, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the arch and vertical structures with a base layer of burnt sienna and dark brown.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the arch and structures, adding highlights with orange and yellow, and shadows with deeper browns and blues.
step 05
Create the foliage and ground cover with a mix of dark greens, browns, and blacks, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the structures, such as cracks and textures, using a fine brush or palette knife.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · cadmium orange · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the sky colors by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of purple. Create the earthy tones by mixing burnt sienna with raw umber and black, and adjust the warmth with cadmium orange.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not allowing layers to dry properly before applying subsequent layers.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, raw umber, cadmium orange, yellow ochre, ivory black, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels