plate no. 2279

The Path

Erin Hanson, 2014

oilExpressionismlandscapetreespathlandscapefoliagelightshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.

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 path and tree placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, trees, and ground with diluted paint.
step 03
Start adding thicker paint, focusing on individual brushstrokes to define shapes and textures.
step 04
Build up layers of color, varying the hues and values to create depth and interest.
step 05
Pay attention to the light and shadow patterns, using contrasting colors to enhance the effect.
step 06
Refine the details, such as the branches and leaves, with smaller brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights and accents to create a sense of vibrancy.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white · dioxazine purple

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with cadmium yellow and ultramarine blue. Use alizarin crimson and cadmium yellow for oranges and reds in the path. Mix dioxazine purple with ultramarine blue for shadows.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·alla prima
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy effect.
→Losing the sense of light and shadow.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (sap green, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white)
·palette knife
·assorted flat brushes (#2, #6, #10)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·rags