plate no. 5860
The Forest of Fontainebleau
Theodore Rousseau, 1867
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and creating a sense of light filtering through trees.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the path and major tree trunks.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending towards the horizon.
- step 03
Block in the dark masses of foliage using a mix of browns and greens.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows to suggest sunlight on the leaves.
- step 05
Add details to the tree trunks, paying attention to texture and form.
- step 06
Refine the path with variations in tone and color to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add the figure in the distance, keeping it simple and indistinct.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Use white to lighten values and blue to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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