plate no. 7735

In the park

oilRealismlandscapetreesforestlandscapefoliagelightshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using brushstrokes to suggest texture. It's also a great exercise in understanding light and shadow in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest areas to define the value structure.
step 03
Block in the general colors of the foliage and ground using thin washes.
step 04
Begin layering greens and browns to create variations in the foliage.
step 05
Add details to the tree trunks, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the grass and leaves.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details, such as small branches and highlights on the leaves.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt umber and raw sienna to create the browns for the tree trunks and shadows.

techniques