plate no. 5469

Hidden Pasture

Eyvind Earle, 1999

oilMagic Realismlandscapetreeslandscapehillspathskyfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes. Students will also learn about color harmony and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, path, and tree masses, focusing on composition.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant hills with thin washes of color, using lighter values.
step 03
Block in the path with a base layer of yellow-green, varying the tone to suggest light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering the tree masses with dark greens and blues, gradually adding highlights with lighter greens, yellows, and reds.
step 05
Use small, controlled brushstrokes to create the texture of the foliage, varying the color and intensity.
step 06
Add details to the trees along the path, paying attention to their shapes and silhouettes.
step 07
Refine the edges of the forms and add final touches of color to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · dark green · yellow · blue

secondary · red · light green · dark blue

Achieve the dark greens by mixing blues and yellows with a touch of black or brown. Create the variations in foliage by adding small amounts of red, yellow, or white to the base green.

techniques

·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective
·geometric simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brush (size 8)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·palette knife
·retarder medium
·easel

Using a smooth canvas will help achieve the smooth, blended look of the original painting. Acrylics are suggested for their fast drying time and ease of use.

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