plate no. 8919

Poplars

Andre Derain, 1900

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeslandscapeskybuildingsfieldsfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and form. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve harmonious greens and blues.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the trees, the horizon line, and the suggestion of buildings.
step 02
Block in the sky with a mix of blues and grays, varying the tones to create depth.
step 03
Establish the main areas of green for the fields and foliage, using different shades and values.
step 04
Add the darker tones for the trees and foreground, creating contrast and depth.
step 05
Introduce the lighter colors for the buildings and highlights on the trees.
step 06
Refine the shapes and details with expressive brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the essence of the scene.
step 07
Add small details like the suggestion of a path or water feature.
step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Viridian Green

secondary · Titanium White · Burnt Umber · Cadmium Red

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the tones with white or umber. Create depth in the sky by layering different shades of blue and gray.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken Color
·Wet-on-dry
·Color Mixing
·Expressive Brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the original.
→Using too much black, which can flatten the colors.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a monotonous texture.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Viridian Green, Titanium White, Burnt Umber)
·Round brushes (sizes 4, 6, 8)
·Palette knife
·Palette
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags