plate no. 0616

Jungle Sunset

Valeria Trubina, 2003

oilMagic Realismlandscapetreesfoliagejunglesunsetlightbranches

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques and explore the use of a limited color palette to create depth and atmosphere. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with expressive brushstrokes and dripping paint for added texture.

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 tree and the overall structure of the foliage.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of yellow ochre as an underpainting, especially in the areas where the light shines through.
step 03
Begin layering the blue tones, starting with the darkest shades in the shadows and gradually adding lighter blues to the highlights.
step 04
Use expressive brushstrokes to create the texture of the tree bark and leaves.
step 05
Add the details of the branches, using a fine brush to create the intricate network of lines.
step 06
Create the dripping effect by loading a brush with diluted blue paint and allowing it to drip down the canvas.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows, paying attention to the way the light interacts with the foliage.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White

secondary · Payne's Gray · Burnt Sienna

Mix Prussian blue with Payne's gray for the darker shadows. Use white to lighten the blues for highlights. Add a touch of burnt sienna to the yellow ochre for warmer tones.

techniques

·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Dripping
·Scumbling
·Glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating a flat, lifeless image by not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
→Applying the drips too uniformly, resulting in an unnatural effect.
→Not allowing the underpainting to show through, which adds depth and warmth to the painting.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow Ochre, Titanium White, Payne's Gray, Burnt Sienna)
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on the medium)