plate no. 5856

Sunbeam

oilSymbolismlandscapetreeswaterlandscapeforestfoliagelight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the sky, water, trees, and ground.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and variation within each area.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage and texture.
step 06
Pay attention to the light and shadow, and adjust the values accordingly.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the branches and leaves.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use raw umber and white for the tree trunks and ground, adjusting the value with more white or umber. Add small amounts of yellow ochre to the greens to create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·broken brushstrokes
·color mixing
·value control
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much detail and creating a cluttered composition.
→Ignoring the light and shadow, resulting in a flat, lifeless painting.
→Not mixing enough paint and running out of the desired color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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