plate no. 9043
TREES IN MALAHIDE, COUNTY DUBLIN
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, simplifying complex forms, and using a limited palette to create a cohesive landscape. It also provides practice in capturing the mood of a scene with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the light and dark areas of the clouds.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees, paying attention to their overall shapes.
- step 04
Add the lighter areas of foliage, suggesting form with variations in tone and color.
- step 05
Paint the field with horizontal strokes, creating a sense of depth and texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding highlights and shadows to suggest individual branches and leaves.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix raw umber and yellow ochre for the earth tones. Add white to lighten the colors for the sky and highlights. Use ultramarine blue in small amounts to cool down the sky and shadows.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Creating too much contrast and flattening the sense of depth.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Neglecting the importance of value relationships in creating form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for broken color effects. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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