apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Forest landscape
Forest landscape by Jacob van Strij

plate no. 1652

Forest landscape

Jacob van Strij

oilNeoclassicismlandscapelandscapetreesbuildinganimalswaterfigure
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through value changes and using line work to define shapes and textures. It also provides practice in depicting complex natural forms like trees and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main elements (building, trees, animals).

  2. step 02

    Establish the darkest areas of the painting, such as the tree trunks and shadows, using a diluted ink or paint.

  3. step 03

    Gradually build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the light source and how it affects the values.

  4. step 04

    Use a fine brush or pen to add details to the trees, foliage, and building, creating texture and definition.

  5. step 05

    Add the animals and the figure, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.

  6. step 06

    Refine the details and values, ensuring that the overall composition is balanced and harmonious.

  7. step 07

    Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.

  8. step 08

    Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Vary the shades of gray by diluting the black ink or paint with water or white paint.

techniques

  • ·hatching
  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·value shading
  • ·linear perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of light and shadow.
  • →Creating flat, lifeless areas by not varying the values.
  • →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
  • →Inaccurate proportions of the animals or figure.

materials

surface · Watercolor paper or drawing paper

required

  • ·Watercolor paper or drawing paper
  • ·Black ink or watercolor paint
  • ·Fine-tipped brush or pen
  • ·Pencil
  • ·Eraser
  • ·Water
  • ·Palette or mixing tray

optional

  • ·Ruler
  • ·Magnifying glass
  • ·Gray scale reference

Use a good quality paper that can withstand multiple layers of ink or paint. Experiment with different brushes and pens to find the ones that work best for you.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Portrait of Sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon working at the bust of Voltaire

Portrait of Sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon working at the bust of Voltaire

Marie-Gabrielle Capet

The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXXI. Temple of Antonius and Faustina.

The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXXI. Temple of Antonius and Faustina.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Portrait of Louis d'Orleans

Portrait of Louis d'Orleans

Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Rooftops in the shadows

Rooftops in the shadows

Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes

The Schmadribach Falls

The Schmadribach Falls

Joseph Anton Koch

A Scene from 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare

A Scene from 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare

William Hamilton

Portrait of Klementyna Ostrowska Née Sanguszko

Portrait of Klementyna Ostrowska Née Sanguszko

Vincenzo Camuccini

Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait

Anton Raphael Mengs