plate no. 2925

Olive trees

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapetreeslandscapeskyfoliagebranchesforest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in observing and rendering the complex structure of trees and foliage. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the tree trunks and branches using a mix of browns and blues.
step 04
Begin layering in the foliage, starting with the darker greens and gradually adding lighter highlights.
step 05
Create depth by using cooler, grayer tones for the background foliage.
step 06
Add details to the tree trunks and branches, such as texture and highlights.
step 07
Refine the foliage by adding individual leaves and highlights.
step 08
Add final details to the foreground, such as grass and small plants.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Burnt umber · Titanium white

secondary · Sap green · Raw sienna

Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and Yellow ochre. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Add Burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows. Mix blue and umber for the shadows in the foliage.

techniques

·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Color mixing
·Atmospheric perspective
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foliage, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Using too much green without varying the tones and hues.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value in the sky.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow ochre, Burnt umber, Titanium white, Sap green, Raw sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife