plate no. 6014

The chestnut tree in blossom

Frantisek Kupka, 1906

oil, panelImpressionismlandscapetreeflowersfoliageskygardenlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as using short, broken brushstrokes to capture the impression of light and foliage. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into abstract shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the tree, flowers, and sky, focusing on composition.
step 02
Apply a thin underpainting of burnt umber or raw sienna to establish the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker greens of the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Add lighter greens and yellows to the foliage to create highlights and variations in color.
step 05
Paint the flowers with dabs of white, pink, and purple, blending them slightly to soften the edges.
step 06
Develop the sky with soft blues and grays, blending the colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as the fence and any other plants or objects.
step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting the values and colors, and adding any final details.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · alizarin crimson · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the value and intensity with white or umber. Achieve the flower colors by mixing white with small amounts of pink, purple, and red.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·layering
·color mixing
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much detail and not simplifying the forms.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not blending the colors sufficiently to create a sense of atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (sap green, yellow ochre, titanium white, cerulean blue, alizarin crimson, burnt umber)
·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·flat brush (#6)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits