plate no. 1624
Sketch for The Jack Pine
Tom Thomson, 1916
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the tree, shoreline, and distant mountains using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of muted yellows and violets, following the direction of the brushstrokes in the original.
- step 03
Establish the color of the lake with horizontal strokes of purples and grays.
- step 04
Paint the distant mountains with a darker shade of purple, softening the edges.
- step 05
Begin painting the tree, starting with the dark trunk and branches using dark browns and blacks.
- step 06
Add the foliage with short, choppy strokes of greens, yellows, and browns, varying the color and value.
- step 07
Add highlights to the tree and shoreline with lighter shades of yellow and orange to suggest sunlight.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green
Mix muted yellows and violets for the sky by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white. Achieve the purples in the mountains and water by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson. Use burnt umber and white to create various shades of brown for the tree.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and not simplifying the forms.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the impasto effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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