plate no. 1815

Violent wind

Arkady Rylov, 1916

oilSymbolismlandscapetreesbirch treeslandscapewaterfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the effect of light filtering through foliage. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, tree trunks, and general areas of foliage.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding hints of pink and white for clouds.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the water, using varying shades of blue and purple.
step 04
Paint the distant trees and foliage with muted greens and blues to create depth.
step 05
Begin layering greens for the foreground grass, varying the shades and adding highlights.
step 06
Paint the birch tree trunks with white, gray, and black, paying attention to the patterns.
step 07
Add details to the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and light.
step 08
Refine the details and add final highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the tone with white or umber. Achieve the sky's subtle hues by blending white with small amounts of blue and pink.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the foliage, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Using too much detail in the distant elements, which can flatten the perspective.
→Failing to vary the greens, leading to a monotonous landscape.
→Not capturing the light and shadow on the birch trees, making them appear flat.