plate no. 0152
The House Behind the Trees
Georges Braque, 1906
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It also allows for experimentation with expressive brushstrokes and non-naturalistic color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house and trees, focusing on composition.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, house, trees, and ground using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth.
- step 05
Introduce accent colors to create visual interest and vibrancy.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the objects, but maintain a loose and painterly style.
- step 07
Add final details to the trees and foliage.
- step 08
Evaluate and adjust the overall color balance and composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · cadmium red · titanium white
secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve pinks by mixing red and white. Vary the intensity of colors by adding small amounts of complementary colors.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color layering
- ·simplification of form
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Focusing too much on detail and not enough on the overall color harmony.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits (for oil paint cleanup)
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Acrylics are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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