plate no. 2976

Great landscape with trees (The triangular field)

Balthus, 1955

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesfieldsfigureshadowshorse

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how light and shadow define form in a landscape. Students will also practice painting figures and animals in a landscape setting.

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 horizon line, the triangular field, and the placement of major elements like trees and the figure.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of earth tones to the canvas.
step 03
Block in the large areas of light and shadow, paying attention to the direction of the sunlight.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create texture and depth in the fields and trees, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the trees, including branches and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 06
Paint the figure and horse, focusing on their basic shapes and proportions.
step 07
Refine the details of the landscape, including the fence posts and the distant hills.
step 08
Add final touches of light and shadow to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Create earth tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Using too much detail in the distant areas of the painting.
→Creating harsh lines and edges that detract from the soft, painterly quality of the work.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the sunlight and the resulting shadows.