plate no. 3353

Joyous Note - Autumn Dusk

Karl Schrag, 1992

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapefoliageabstractnature

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive mark-making and understanding how to create depth with a limited color palette. It also encourages experimentation with texture and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the overall structure of the landscape.
step 02
Apply a base layer of the teal/blue color to the entire background, leaving some areas lighter and others darker.
step 03
Add black lines and shapes to create the abstract foliage and background elements, varying the thickness and direction of the lines.
step 04
Paint the red trees using bold, visible brushstrokes, layering the color to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add highlights to the trees with a slightly lighter shade of red.
step 06
Refine the details of the background, adding more black lines and shapes as needed to create a sense of depth and complexity.
step 07
Add final touches to the trees, such as small details and variations in color.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · teal · red · black

secondary · white

Mix teal by combining blue and a touch of green. Vary the teal by adding white for highlights and black for shadows. The red is used directly from the tube.

techniques