plate no. 0447

Sun Through the Trees

Louis Valtat, 1909

oil, canvasFauvismlandscapetreeslandscapefoliageskypathwoods

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in understanding how to represent light and shadow through color rather than precise value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, foliage, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker greens and oranges to define the shapes of the trees and bushes.
step 04
Add highlights with lighter yellows and oranges, focusing on areas where the sun is hitting the foliage.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest in the foliage and ground.
step 06
Refine the details of the tree trunks and branches, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Add final touches and adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · cadmium orange · viridian green · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining viridian green and cadmium yellow. Achieve variations in orange by mixing cadmium orange with varying amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the sky.

techniques