plate no. 3305
Scrub Oaks and Maples
Franklin Carmichael, 1935
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into expressive brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a landscape rather than photorealistic detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky and distant hills with light blue and gray washes.
- step 03
Establish the general color and value of the lake.
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the trees, starting with darker browns and adding highlights with oranges and reds.
- step 05
Define the shapes of the leaves with short, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details to the foreground, including the rocks and foliage.
- step 07
Refine the details in the distant landscape, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Burnt umber · Cadmium orange · Titanium white
secondary · Yellow ochre · Sap green · Alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber with Prussian blue and small amounts of cadmium orange. Create muted greens by mixing yellow ochre with Prussian blue. Achieve the sky color by diluting Prussian blue with titanium white.
techniques
- ·Impasto
- ·Broken color
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Layering
- ·Scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing on the palette.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Burnt umber, Cadmium orange, Titanium white, Yellow ochre, Sap green, Alizarin crimson)
- ·Assorted brushes (flat, round)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Color chart
Use good quality oil paints for best results. A medium-textured canvas will help to create a more textured surface.
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