plate no. 2165

Stump

Neil Welliver, 2000

oilContemporary Realismlandscapetree stumpmossforestfoliagetreesundergrowth

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using broken color to represent natural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the stump, trees, and foliage, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background by loosely blocking in the colors of the trees and foliage.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the stump, starting with darker greens and browns, and gradually adding lighter highlights.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest the uneven surface of the moss and bark.
step 05
Develop the foreground foliage, paying attention to the variations in color and value.
step 06
Add details to the trees and branches in the background, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the sense of depth and form.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows with varying amounts of white and brown. Use burnt umber and raw sienna to create the earthy tones of the stump.

techniques