plate no. 7597

Old Elm

Sergey Ryabchenko, 1979

etchingRealismlandscapetreehousefencelandscapeskybranches

some experience helpful

Recreating this etching will help students develop skills in creating tonal values through line work and understanding how to build depth with overlapping details. It also provides practice in rendering complex organic forms like trees.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the tree, house, and fence.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the tree trunk and branches with dense hatching.
step 03
Gradually build up the tonal values in the sky and background using lighter hatching and cross-hatching.
step 04
Add details to the house and fence, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 05
Create texture in the foreground using short, broken lines.
step 06
Refine the linework, adding more detail to the branches and foliage.
step 07
Use an eraser to lift out highlights and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance of the composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Varying the density and layering of black lines creates different shades of gray.

techniques

·Hatching
·Cross-hatching
·Stippling
·Line weight variation
·Eraser lifting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the linework, resulting in a muddy or cluttered appearance.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow.
→Making lines too uniform and lacking variation.

materials

surface · Smooth paper (e.g., Bristol board)

required

·Etching needle or fine-tipped pen
·Smooth paper (e.g., Bristol board)
·Eraser
·Ruler
·Pencil
·Reference image

optional

·Magnifying glass
·Tracing paper
·Ink

Experiment with different types of pens and paper to find the combination that works best for you. Consider using archival quality materials to ensure the longevity of your artwork.

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