plate no. 7897

Lakeshore Grove

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapelakegroveskyvegetation

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice creating depth using value and learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It's also a good exercise in monochromatic color schemes and expressive mark-making.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees, horizon line, and foreground.
step 02
Establish the lightest values in the sky using light pressure.
step 03
Begin layering the darker values of the trees and foliage, varying pressure to create depth.
step 04
Use short, directional strokes to indicate the texture of the ground and water.
step 05
Add details to the trees, such as branches and twigs, using a sharpened pastel or pencil.
step 06
Refine the values and edges to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights to create focal points.
step 08
Soften edges with a blending stump or finger if desired.

color palette

primary · red chalk · white chalk

secondary · light blue

Vary pressure and layering to achieve different shades of red. Use white to lighten the red chalk for highlights and the sky.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·layering
·blending
·value gradation

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Making the values too uniform, resulting in a flat image.
→Not varying the pressure enough to create depth.
→Using too much blending, which can muddy the colors.

materials

surface · Tinted paper (toned paper)

required

·Red chalk
·White chalk
·Tinted paper (toned paper)
·Kneaded eraser
·Blending stump
·Fixative spray

optional

·Red chalk pencils
·Sandpaper block

Choose a paper with a slightly textured surface to allow the chalk to adhere well. Consider using a mid-tone paper to allow for both highlights and shadows.

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