plate no. 1650
Reflected Willow on the Green
Henri Martin, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light and reflection on water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, river, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, using thin washes to establish the overall tones.
- step 03
Begin layering small, individual brushstrokes of color to build up the texture and form of the trees and foliage.
- step 04
Pay close attention to the color variations in the water, using a mix of greens, blues, and yellows to create the illusion of reflection.
- step 05
Use darker tones to define the shadows and create depth in the painting.
- step 06
Add highlights to the trees and water to capture the effects of light.
- step 07
Refine the details of the brushstrokes, adjusting the colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any final adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · titanium white
secondary · sap green · violet · burnt sienna
Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten the tones and create a sense of luminosity.
techniques
- ·pointillism
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Applying brushstrokes too uniformly, creating a flat texture.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water.
- →Failing to capture the effects of light and shadow.
- →Not stepping back to assess the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying textures.
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