plate no. 5759
The Hunter
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures, particularly the bark of the sycamore tree, and in creating depth through atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the tree and the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background landscape with broad washes of color.
- step 03
Begin layering the dark and light areas of the tree trunk, paying attention to the patterns of the bark.
- step 04
Add the branches, varying their thickness and direction.
- step 05
Paint the leaves, focusing on their shapes and the way they catch the light.
- step 06
Develop the foreground foliage with layers of greens and browns.
- step 07
Add the figure of the hunter, paying attention to the details of his clothing and equipment.
- step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · sap green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Achieve the bark's mottled appearance by layering thin washes of raw umber and white. Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Failing to create sufficient contrast between the light and dark areas.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to create a harmonious color scheme.
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