plate no. 9245

Path in a Small Wood

oil, canvasRealismlandscapetreespathfigurefoliageskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushwork to depict foliage and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the path, trees, and figure.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the sky with light yellows and grays, blending softly.
step 04
Begin layering in the dark greens and browns of the trees and foliage, using varied brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the leaves and path with lighter greens, yellows, and browns.
step 06
Paint the figure with simple shapes and muted colors, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the details of the foliage and path, adding texture and variation.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt umber and white to create a range of browns and grays for the shadows and path.

techniques