plate no. 5133

Landscape with Trees

Janos Mattis-Teutsch, 1915

oilFauvismlandscapetreeslandscapefoliagehillspathforest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a harmonious composition. It also provides practice in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

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, hills, and path, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: different shades of green for the foliage, yellow for the highlights, and violet for the path.
step 03
Start layering different shades of green to create depth and variation in the foliage.
step 04
Add the tree trunks with a light gray-purple mixture, varying the thickness of the lines.
step 05
Refine the shapes of the hills and path, adding subtle variations in color.
step 06
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement throughout the painting.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall balance of color and composition.

color palette

primary · green · yellow · violet

secondary · light gray-purple · teal

Mix different shades of green by combining primary green with yellow and blue. Create the light gray-purple for the tree trunks by mixing white, violet, and a touch of brown. Achieve the teal by mixing green and blue.

techniques

·blocking in color
·layering
·visible brushstrokes
·color mixing
·simplification of form

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or disharmonious palette.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.