plate no. 9824

In the Forest

Arthur Verona, 1911

oilImpressionismgenre paintingforesttreesfigurehorseautumnfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the impressionistic style through loose brushwork.

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 placement of the figure, horse, and main trees.
step 02
Establish the background colors with thin washes, starting with the sky and distant foliage.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees and ground using broad strokes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create the texture of the leaves and bark, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the figure and horse, paying attention to their form and lighting.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details such as fallen leaves and small branches.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the color, value, and composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw umber · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the leaves. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Add raw umber to darken the colors for shadows.

techniques