plate no. 8847
The End of Autumn
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose, expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in mixing subtle earth tones and capturing the feeling of light filtering through trees.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, tree masses, and foreground elements.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the dark underpainting for the trees and foreground using burnt umber and black.
- step 04
Begin layering in the foliage with mixtures of greens, yellows, and browns, using loose brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add highlights to the trees and foreground with lighter yellows and oranges to suggest sunlight.
- step 06
Define the figures with simple shapes and touches of red.
- step 07
Refine the details and add texture with dry brushing.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and adjust values.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ivory black
Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and yellow ochre. Create earth tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and white. Use alizarin crimson to warm up browns and add depth.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
- →Making the colors too saturated and not achieving the muted earth tones.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, Prussian blue, titanium white, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
