plate no. 7187
The Sacred Grove
Arnold Böcklin, 1886
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a landscape. It also provides practice in creating a mood through color and composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, figures, and altar.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the path and grove.
- step 03
Block in the main color masses: the sky, trees, grass, and figures.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, starting with the background and moving forward.
- step 05
Add details to the trees, such as branches and leaves, using a variety of brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the figures, paying attention to their form and drapery.
- step 07
Add the altar and the smoke, using light and shadow to create a sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the fallen leaves and highlights on the figures.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the atmospheric haze by glazing thin layers of diluted colors.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) can help to establish a unified color harmony.
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