plate no. 1713

Ghosts on a Tree

Franz Sedlacek, 1933

oilExpressionismsymbolic paintingtreefigureslandscapeskyfogmoon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, value control, and creating a sense of depth using subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in rendering organic forms like trees and figures in a stylized manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the tree's structure and the placement of the figures.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark areas of the tree, figures, and background.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky and fog, using thin washes of color to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 04
Refine the details of the tree branches and figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add highlights to the moon and any reflective surfaces to create contrast.
step 06
Blend the edges of the fog and clouds to create a soft, ethereal effect.
step 07
Add the small trees in the background.
step 08
Finalize the details and make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing black and white with small amounts of umber and ochre. Use thin washes of these mixtures to create the atmospheric effects.

techniques