plate no. 2870

The Jack Pine

Tom Thomson, 1917

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapetreeslakemountainsskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use visible brushstrokes to create texture and form, and how to mix colors to achieve a harmonious landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the tree, mountains, and shoreline.
step 02
Block in the sky with horizontal strokes of yellow, green, and white, blending slightly.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with dark blues and purples, adding small strokes of white for snow.
step 04
Block in the water with horizontal strokes of muted greens and blues, reflecting the sky.
step 05
Paint the foreground land with reds, browns, and greens, using short, choppy strokes.
step 06
Add the main tree, using dark greens and browns for the foliage and trunk, and thinner strokes for the branches.
step 07
Refine the details of the tree and foreground, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and water, ensuring a cohesive color palette.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform, losing the texture and energy of the original.
→Ignoring the color relationships between the different elements of the painting.
→Not varying the brushstroke direction to create form.