plate no. 3955
House with trees
Grace Cossington Smith, 1935
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and understanding how to represent light and shadow using color rather than relying solely on value changes. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the house, trees, and fence, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, house, and foliage using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin applying thicker paint with visible brushstrokes, layering colors to create texture and depth.
- step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the house and surrounding elements.
- step 05
Mix and apply the various shades of pink and blue to represent the house and sky.
- step 06
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the shapes of the trees and foliage.
- step 07
Add details to the fence and other foreground elements.
- step 08
Refine the composition and add final touches to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · pink · light blue · white
secondary · green · brown · yellow
Mix various shades of pink by combining red, white, and a touch of brown. Achieve the sky blues by mixing blue with white and a hint of purple. Greens are created by mixing blue and yellow, with variations achieved by adding brown or white.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Getting bogged down in details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Not using enough paint, resulting in a thin and lifeless painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (pink, light blue, white, green, brown, yellow)
- ·Assorted flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use good quality paints for better color saturation. Consider using a textured canvas to enhance the brushwork effect.
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