plate no. 8595

Mendacino

Eyvind Earle, 1988

oilMagic Realismlandscapetreeslandscapeforestfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as practicing precise line work for the tree branches and ground details. It's also a good exercise in understanding atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and hills, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the background sky with a gradient of yellow and green.
step 03
Establish the darkest areas of the trees and foliage with deep blues and blacks.
step 04
Begin layering colors within the tree shapes, using small, controlled brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add highlights to the foliage with greens, reds, and blues to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 06
Paint the tree trunks and branches with thin, precise lines.
step 07
Create the ground plane with parallel lines of varying shades of green.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · dark blue · green · yellow

secondary · red · black · white

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow and blue, and create depth by adding small amounts of red or black to the greens and blues. Use white to lighten colors for highlights.

techniques