plate no. 5146

Pine Trees on Kerkyra

Konstantinos Parthenis, 1917

oil, canvasFauvismlandscapetreeslandscapefigureshillsskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and understanding how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, figures, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it softly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the background hills with muted greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the larger masses of the trees using varying shades of green, applying short, directional brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the figures in the foreground with simplified shapes and colors.
step 06
Develop the foreground field with a mix of yellows, greens, and browns, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green. Create muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to your colors. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·directional brushstrokes
·simplified forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, cerulean blue, burnt umber, titanium white)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags