plate no. 2839

Landscape Beyond the Tree

oilRomanticismlandscapetreeslandscapemountainsskyfoliagepath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic tree bark texture. It also provides practice in composing a landscape with a strong focal point.

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 path.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the values of the distant mountains, using a muted green-gray.
step 04
Paint the large tree trunk, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add the foliage, varying the greens and using broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Paint the path, using a warm yellow-brown and varying the value to create depth.
step 07
Add details to the foreground foliage, using darker greens and browns.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Burnt umber · Titanium white

secondary · Sap green · Cadmium yellow light · Raw sienna

Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and yellow ochre, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create warm browns for the tree trunk and path. Mute colors for the distant mountains by adding a touch of complementary color.

techniques

·Atmospheric perspective
·Broken color
·Dry brushing
·Layering
·Value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
→Using overly saturated colors, especially in the distant areas.
→Ignoring the subtle value shifts in the tree trunk.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow ochre, Burnt umber, Titanium white, Sap green)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags