plate no. 1090

Trees Along the Coast (Road to the Sea)

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreescoastlandscapepathseafoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using broken color techniques to represent light and shadow. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, path, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky/sea, foliage, and ground.
step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the trees and ground.
step 05
Add details to the trees, such as individual leaves and branches.
step 06
Refine the path and the transition between the ground and the sea.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · sap green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · viridian

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and adjust with white for highlights. Create earth tones by mixing burnt sienna with ultramarine blue and yellow ochre. Use white to lighten and create pastel tones for the sky and path.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the foliage and ground.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (sap green, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow light, viridian)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags