plate no. 3913
October Gold
Franklin Carmichael, 1922
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve vibrant autumn hues and practice layering techniques to create depth in a landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use brushstrokes to suggest texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, river, and distant hills.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and distant landscape.
- step 03
Layer in the mid-ground trees and foliage, using a variety of yellows, oranges, and reds.
- step 04
Define the river with dark blues and browns, adding highlights to suggest reflections.
- step 05
Paint the birch trees, using white and gray to create the characteristic bark texture.
- step 06
Add details to the foliage, using small, deliberate brushstrokes to create individual leaves.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance depth and realism.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium orange
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve variations in foliage by adding small amounts of red or brown to the yellows and oranges. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Getting lost in details too early in the process.
- →Not varying brushstrokes to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Reference photo print
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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