plate no. 5116
Landscape with Green Trees or Beech Trees in Kerduel
Maurice Denis, 1893
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and figures.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue and white mixture.
- step 03
Paint the background foliage with a mix of green and yellow.
- step 04
Establish the base color for the trees using a green and blue mixture.
- step 05
Add variations in the tree trunks with darker and lighter greens.
- step 06
Paint the figures with simplified shapes using white and a touch of pink.
- step 07
Add the foreground grass with varying shades of green.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · green · blue · white
secondary · yellow · pink · purple
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create variations by adding white or a touch of brown. Use white with a hint of pink for the figures.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·layering
- ·simplified forms
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Making the colors too saturated
- →Ignoring the overall composition
- →Not varying the shades of green
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brush #4
- ·flat brush #8
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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