plate no. 8423

Oak Grove. Illuminated by the sun.

Pyotr Konchalovsky, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeskygrasswoodsfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and understanding how light affects the appearance of foliage. It also provides practice in capturing the overall impression of a scene rather than focusing on precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition of the trees and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color for the sky, trees, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Start layering in darker values to define the tree trunks and shadows.
step 04
Add highlights to the foliage using lighter shades of green and yellow.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the leaves and grass.
step 06
Refine the details of the tree branches and foliage, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall balance of colors and values.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, adjust with burnt umber for shadows. Use white to create lighter values and highlights. Mix small amounts of alizarin crimson into browns and greens to create depth.

techniques