plate no. 1262

Romance of Autumn

Noktys Nokte, 2018

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesforestlandscapeskysunfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes to depict a forest scene. It also offers practice in creating depth through overlapping elements and atmospheric perspective.

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 and the sun.
step 02
Block in the background sky with a diluted blue-gray color.
step 03
Paint the tree trunks with varying shades of brown, using vertical brushstrokes.
step 04
Add the foliage using dabs of yellow, green, and red, varying the pressure to create texture.
step 05
Paint the sun with a bright yellow, blending the edges slightly.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the trees and foliage to create depth.
step 07
Paint the foreground with a mix of browns, greens, and yellows, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 08
Add small white dots to the sky to simulate stars or light.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix different shades of green by combining yellow ochre and sap green. Create browns by mixing burnt umber with ultramarine blue and a touch of red. Vary the intensity of colors by adding white or thinning with medium.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Making the tree trunks too uniform in color and shape.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
→Ignoring the importance of highlights and shadows for creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, sap green, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, titanium white)
·round brushes (#4, #6, #8)
·palette
·linseed oil or solvent
·palette knife
·rags
·easel