plate no. 7545

Landscape with Trees

Lili Elbe, 1911

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeskyfieldhorizon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, tree trunks, and distant trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with light gray and hints of pink and yellow.
step 03
Establish the field with horizontal strokes of varying greens, blues, and browns.
step 04
Paint the distant trees with a muted gray-green, keeping them soft and indistinct.
step 05
Add the tree trunks with a mix of browns, greens, and grays, capturing the light and shadow.
step 06
Layer greens and yellows to create the foliage on the trees.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to the trees and field.
step 08
Add final touches to blend and soften edges where needed.

color palette

primary · light green · gray · light blue · yellow

secondary · pink · brown · purple

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create grays by mixing complementary colors. Achieve the muted tones by adding white or a touch of brown to the colors.

techniques