plate no. 6108

Pink Blossoming Tree

Maggie Laubser

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeblossomsskygardenlandscapearchitecture

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the tree, architecture, and ground.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving space for the tree branches.
step 03
Paint the background architecture with dark greens and blues, suggesting depth.
step 04
Establish the ground plane with a base of red-brown.
step 05
Add the tree trunk and branches using dark browns and blacks.
step 06
Apply thick dabs of white and light pink to represent the blossoms, varying the pressure for texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the architecture and ground, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches to the blossoms, ensuring they catch the light.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of red to create the pink blossoms. Use burnt umber and black for the tree trunk and branches. Mix blue and white for the sky, and green with black and umber for the background foliage.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the blossoms, resulting in a flat texture.
→Making the tree trunk too symmetrical and rigid.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, leading to a monotonous surface.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a harsh palette.