plate no. 2287
Landscape with storm
Franz Stuck, 1920
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement of wind through trees. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex forms and using a limited palette to create a mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the road.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and oranges, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees, paying attention to their shapes bent by the wind.
- step 04
Add the ground plane with muted greens and browns, creating a sense of depth.
- step 05
Define the road using lighter tones of brown and white, suggesting texture.
- step 06
Refine the shapes of the trees, adding details to the branches and leaves.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the road and trees.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium orange
Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber with white, blue, or yellow ochre. Create atmospheric sky tones by blending blue, white, and a touch of orange.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·blending
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Making the colors too saturated, resulting in a less realistic scene.
- →Failing to capture the sense of movement in the trees.
- →Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brush #4
- ·flat brush #8
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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