plate no. 3221

Old Windfall

Neil Welliver, 1982

oilContemporary Realismlandscapeforesttreeswoodsfallen logsfoliagelandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in a dense forest environment. It will also improve their ability to represent complex natural forms with simplified brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main tree trunks and the general layout of the fallen logs, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the shadows beneath the logs and within the foliage.
step 03
Begin layering different shades of green and brown to build up the texture of the forest floor and tree bark.
step 04
Use lighter greens and yellows to represent highlights on the leaves and sunlit areas.
step 05
Add details to the tree trunks and branches, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Refine the foliage by adding small, individual brushstrokes to suggest leaves.
step 07
Introduce subtle variations in color and value to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensional effect.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the browns, and lighten with titanium white. Add small amounts of blue to darken greens and create shadows.

techniques