plate no. 3219

Forest edge

Wassily Kandinsky, 1903

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesforestlandscapewaterfoliageautumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible brushstrokes and understanding how to depict light and reflection in a landscape. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a range of autumnal hues.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line and the placement of the trees and water.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna to tone the canvas.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the forest with a mix of dark green, brown, and black.
step 04
Begin layering the foliage with yellows, oranges, reds, and greens, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Create the water surface with horizontal strokes of green, yellow, and white, adding reflections of the trees.
step 06
Add details to the tree trunks and branches with thin lines of brown and black.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows in the foliage and water to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

Mix greens by combining yellows and blues, and create variations in the foliage by adding small amounts of red, brown, or white to the greens, yellows, and oranges. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques