plate no. 2972

Synthetic Blue St. John

Neil Welliver, 2000

oilContemporary Realismlandscapetreesforestriverlandscapefoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees, river, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky and river with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the background foliage and ground.
step 04
Begin layering darker tones to define the tree trunks and branches, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the foliage using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the highlights on the water and trees to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the birch tree details.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · sap green · black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Vary the intensity of the blues by adding white or umber. Create browns by mixing umber with small amounts of blue or yellow.

techniques