plate no. 5970
Mast Tree Grove
Iván Shishkin, 1898
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and rendering realistic textures of trees and foliage. It also provides practice in depicting reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, stream, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin layering in the background trees, using cooler and muted tones to create depth.
- step 04
Paint the larger, more prominent trees in the foreground, paying attention to their individual characteristics and textures.
- step 05
Add details to the foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create a sense of realism.
- step 06
Render the stream and reflections, using horizontal brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 07
Paint the foreground elements, such as the rocks and vegetation, adding details and highlights.
- step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting values, adding details, and softening edges as needed.
color palette
primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use raw umber and burnt sienna to create earth tones for the tree trunks and ground. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken the greens and create shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the trees and foliage.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#10 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
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