plate no. 6176

Under the Trees

oilRomanticismlandscapetreesforestlandscapewatermountainsfigure

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in rendering complex foliage with varied brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, water, and mountains.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of warm undertones.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values of the trees and foliage, working from back to front.
step 04
Add the mid-tones and highlights to create form and dimension in the trees and rocks.
step 05
Paint the distant mountains and water, using soft, blended colors to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Develop the details of the foreground foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the figure in the foreground, paying attention to its placement and scale.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the warm autumn colors by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and cadmium red. Create the atmospheric perspective by adding white and blue to the colors of the distant mountains and water.

techniques