plate no. 6605
Inside the forest
Theodore Rousseau, 1857
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using expressive brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the overall composition with charcoal.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna as an underpainting.
- step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the forest with dark brown and black.
- step 04
Add layers of green, yellow, and ochre to create the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Introduce highlights on the trees and foliage with lighter shades of yellow and white.
- step 06
Define the edges of the trees and branches with darker colors.
- step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as leaves and twigs.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust the values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna
Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and black, and create highlights by adding white to yellow and ochre. Use thin washes of burnt umber to glaze and unify the colors.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating a flat, uniform texture instead of varying the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using too much detail and losing the overall impression of the forest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·linseed oil
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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