plate no. 2530

Moose Pond

Frank Johnston, 1918

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapetreesforestlakelandscapeautumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using expressive brushstrokes to capture the essence of a landscape. It also encourages observation of color variations in nature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of major elements like the trees and lake.
step 02
Establish the background colors of the sky and distant hills with thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees with dark greens and browns, paying attention to their verticality.
step 04
Add highlights to the trees using yellows, oranges, and lighter greens, creating a sense of depth and form.
step 05
Paint the lake with a mix of browns and greens, reflecting the colors of the surrounding trees.
step 06
Create the foreground using thick, textured brushstrokes of browns, yellows, and greens to represent the foliage.
step 07
Add details to the trees and foreground, refining the shapes and adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and create browns by mixing burnt umber with small amounts of cadmium red or yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brush
·layering
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth by not varying the colors and values.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow, leading to a flat and unrealistic painting.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and color scheme.