plate no. 2883
Young Elms
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as rendering realistic foliage and tree structures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 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 a light blue, creating a subtle gradient from top to bottom.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the grass and foliage, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns.
- step 04
Begin layering darker values in the shadows of the trees and grass to create depth.
- step 05
Add highlights to the foliage and grass to create a sense of light and dimension.
- step 06
Refine the details of the tree branches and leaves, using smaller brushes.
- step 07
Add the figure under the tree, paying attention to its scale and placement.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious balance.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · sap green · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · raw sienna
Mix greens by blending blue and yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns by combining umber, yellow, and blue.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering foliage
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of light and atmosphere.
- →Using too much pure color without mixing to create subtle variations.
- →Ignoring the values and creating a flat, undimensional image.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#10 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting rags
Use good quality paints for best results. A medium can be used to thin the paints and improve blending.
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