plate no. 4350

Landscape

Mario Zanini, 1960

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeforestskyground

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing color mixing and loose brushwork to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted blue/purple wash.
step 03
Apply a yellow wash for the background field.
step 04
Paint the tree trunks with varying shades of brown and gray, using vertical strokes.
step 05
Add the foliage with green and blue hues, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 06
Define the ground plane with reddish-brown tones, creating shadows under the trees.
step 07
Add small details like branches and highlights to enhance the composition.
step 08
Refine the colors and values to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Sienna

secondary · Titanium White · Sap Green · Ultramarine Blue

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective. Browns are achieved by mixing burnt sienna with blue or black.

techniques