plate no. 4038

Trout Stream, North Conway

oilTonalismlandscapetreesforestwaterstreamlandscapefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also offers practice in rendering tree bark texture and water reflections.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main tree and the stream.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the dark areas of the trees and foliage with a mix of dark green and brown.
step 04
Add the lighter areas of the foliage, using a lighter green and yellow ochre.
step 05
Paint the stream, capturing the reflections of the trees and sky.
step 06
Refine the details of the tree bark, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and white to create various shades of brown for the tree bark and ground. Add small amounts of blue to darken the greens and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques