plate no. 0102

Santa Ynez Memories

Eyvind Earle, 1997

oilMagic Realismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsfoliageskylight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using simplified shapes to represent complex forms. It also encourages careful observation of light and shadow to define the landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills and tree masses, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, hills, and major tree groupings.
step 03
Begin layering darker tones to define the shadows and create depth within the foliage.
step 04
Add lighter tones to represent highlights on the hills and trees.
step 05
Introduce the secondary colors to add variation and interest to the foliage.
step 06
Paint the tree trunks and branches, paying attention to their shapes and placement.
step 07
Refine the details of the foliage, adding small touches of color and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · dark green · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · titanium white

Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Darken colors with burnt umber and lighten with titanium white. Use cadmium red sparingly for accents.

techniques

·layering
·color mixing
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
→Not simplifying the shapes of the trees and foliage, leading to a cluttered composition.