plate no. 9931

Sunshine and shadow

Hans Heysen, 1905

oilRealismlandscapetreesforestlandscapeshadowlightpath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using brushstrokes to suggest texture. It also provides practice in observing and painting subtle variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the path.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt umber and yellow ochre.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the trees and ground with a mix of burnt umber and a touch of blue.
step 04
Add the lighter areas of the trees with a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the grass and foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, paying attention to the way the light catches the bark.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the sunlit areas. Add small amounts of burnt sienna to warm up the browns.

techniques