plate no. 9664

Lupines, High Park

J. E. H. MacDonald, 1910

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesfieldlandscapefoliageskyflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible brushstrokes and understanding how to represent depth through color and value changes. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, field, and sky, focusing on composition.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering in darker values to create shadows and define forms within the trees and foliage.
step 04
Add highlights to the trees and field using lighter shades of green and yellow.
step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to represent the texture of the flowers and grass.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves with varied brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression.

color palette

primary · sap green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · violet · burnt sienna · titanium white

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create muted tones by adding a touch of complementary color (e.g., red to green). Achieve the lavender hues by mixing ultramarine blue and white with a touch of red.

techniques