plate no. 1903

Paysage De Munkebjerg, Au Danemark

Lili Elbe, 1908

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshillswaterbenchsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as understanding how to use brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, hills, and water.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water.
step 03
Add the darker values of the trees and foreground.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the hills to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the trees and foreground, using visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the bench and surrounding foliage.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Sienna

secondary · Sap Green · Titanium White · Cadmium Yellow

Mix greens by blending Prussian blue and yellow ochre. Create variations in the hills by mixing burnt sienna with yellow ochre and white. Use white to lighten the sky and water.

techniques

·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Color mixing
·Impasto
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Neglecting to create depth by using variations in color and value.
→Making the foreground too detailed, drawing attention away from the focal point.
→Not paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Sap Green, Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags