plate no. 0020
The Pine Trees of Louveciennes
Camille Pissarro, 1870
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
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 composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, buildings, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the ground.
- step 03
Establish the values of the trees, using darker greens for the shadows and lighter greens for the highlights.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, including the windows, doors, and roof.
- step 05
Develop the texture of the grass and foliage with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten values. Create earth tones by mixing browns, yellows, and blues.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →overblending colors
- →not establishing a clear value structure
- →getting lost in details too early
- →using too much paint
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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