plate no. 4065
Olive Trees
Ivan Bilibin, 1929
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow in a landscape, and how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to create depth and atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the trees, well, and the path.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-grey wash.
- step 03
Establish the basic color of the grass and foliage with a muted green.
- step 04
Paint the shadows on the ground with a darker, cooler green-grey mix.
- step 05
Add the lighter areas on the path and well using a creamy yellow-beige.
- step 06
Define the tree trunks and branches with dark brown and grey, paying attention to the light.
- step 07
Add details like the wooden structure of the well and small highlights on the grass.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add final touches to create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green. Create shadows by adding raw umber and a touch of cerulean blue to the green mix. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Making the colors too bright and saturated.
- →Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat image.
- →Neglecting the importance of the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to better replicate the original painting's surface. Acrylics are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use.
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