plate no. 8472

View from Kaivopuisto

Magnus Enckell, 1919

oilExpressionismlandscapetreesfigureslandscapeparksky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using expressive brushstrokes to capture the texture of trees and foliage. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 and figures.
step 02
Establish the background sky with light blues and grays.
step 03
Block in the main tree trunks with browns and greens, varying the tones.
step 04
Add the foliage using short, broken brushstrokes of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 05
Paint the figures with simplified shapes and colors, indicating light and shadow.
step 06
Develop the foreground with a mix of greens, yellows, and browns to create the ground plane.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and figures, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and ground to balance the composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · titanium white · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Browns can be achieved by mixing umber with blue or yellow. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Not varying the tones of the trees and foliage, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Neglecting the importance of light and shadow in defining the forms.