plate no. 3600

The Big Oleander

William Merritt Chase, 1907

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreesgardenbuildingskyfoliagepath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of light and shadow in a landscape.

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 large tree, building, and pathway.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the trees and foliage with dark greens and browns.
step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows to create highlights and texture in the foliage.
step 05
Add the red flowers to the oleander tree, varying the intensity of the red.
step 06
Paint the building in the background with muted tones, focusing on its form and structure.
step 07
Develop the pathway with a range of grays and blues, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, refining the shapes and textures.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · titanium white

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix grays by combining burnt umber and ultramarine blue.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using too much pure color without mixing and muting the tones.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of light and shadow.
→Neglecting the importance of atmospheric perspective in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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