plate no. 2382

Mistletoe Oak

Kit Williams, 1979

oilSurrealismillustrationpigstreeoak leavesacornsmistletoelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic animal forms, botanical illustration, and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the frame, pigs, tree, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background sky and distant landscape.
step 03
Establish the values and colors of the pigs, paying attention to the subtle variations in pink tones.
step 04
Paint the tree trunk and branches, focusing on accurate rendering of the bark texture.
step 05
Add the oak leaves and acorns, varying the colors and shapes to create a natural look.
step 06
Paint the mistletoe, using delicate brushstrokes to capture its intricate structure.
step 07
Add details to the foreground grass and flowers.
step 08
Paint the wooden frame with stars and moon.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · sap green · raw sienna

Achieve the pig's skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the greens for the leaves by mixing blue and yellow, adjusting the proportions for different shades. Use burnt umber and raw sienna for the tree bark.

techniques