plate no. 3509
Old Oaks in Surrey
Jan Toorop, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, figure, and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, grass, trees, and figure.
- step 03
Begin layering colors on the trees to define their form and texture, focusing on the direction of the brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add details to the foliage, using small, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the light and shadow.
- step 06
Add details to the background elements, such as the animals and buildings.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the tree bark colors by mixing burnt umber with touches of green, blue, and red.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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