plate no. 5611

Sketch for Opulent October

Tom Thomson, 1915

oil, woodPost-Impressionismsketch and studytreesforestlandscapeautumnfoliagebranches

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It also provides experience in capturing the essence of a landscape with limited detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, major tree trunks, and the overall shapes of the foliage.
step 02
Block in the sky and background with light, neutral tones.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the tree trunks and branches using a dark brown or black.
step 04
Begin adding the foliage using broad strokes of color, focusing on the overall color masses rather than individual leaves.
step 05
Layer in highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the foliage.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as grass and fallen leaves, using short, broken strokes.
step 07
Refine the shapes of the tree trunks and branches, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and adjust the value with white. Create browns by mixing burnt umber and yellow ochre, and adjust the warmth with cadmium red.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Focusing too much on detail and neglecting the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not harmonizing with the rest of the painting.
→Creating mud by over-mixing colors on the palette or canvas.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, sap green, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags