plate no. 4068

The fire

Rene Magritte, 1943

oilSurrealismlandscapetreesforestlandscapeautumnfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic 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 trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light washes of yellow, orange, and blue.
step 03
Apply a base layer of color for each tree (blue, orange, red, green).
step 04
Add darker values to the tree trunks and branches.
step 05
Build up the foliage with short, broken brushstrokes, layering different hues.
step 06
Create the impression of a forest in the background using similar brushstrokes and colors.
step 07
Add highlights to the trees and ground to create depth.
step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · cadmium orange · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber

Mix different shades of blue, orange, and red by adding white, yellow, or umber. Create the green by mixing blue and yellow. Use yellow ochre to warm up the other colors.

techniques