![](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-LARGE.jpg)
This is my 18th oil painting. I hope you enjoy my tutorial “Big Cork Tree” by John O’Keefe Jr.
Composition and Materials – “Big Cork Tree”
![Painting tutorial for 'Big Cork Tree' by John O'Keefe - Reference Victorian engraving](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-1-REF-250x200.jpg)
I wanted to compose the scene to fit into an oval-style frame, work on my technique for trees, and improve my use of shadows, with the tree being the center of interest. After finding an engraving of a cork tree, I sketched a rough outline of the frame opening and drew the tree on a sloped hill inside. Also, in the distance would be a vast plain, and distant mountains would make up the horizon.
- Support: Pre-Stretched & Mounted Medium Textured Cotton Canvas (Acrylic Primed)
- Size: 8 x 10 inch
- Medium: Winsor & Newton ‘Artist Oils’ Professional Grade Oil Paints
(Ivory Black, Titanium White, French Ultramarine Blue, Sap Green, Naples Yellow, Raw Sienna, and Raw Umber) - Finish: Winsor & Newton Dammar varnish
Step-By-Step Tutorial – “Big Cork Tree”
Day 1 / Hour 1
![Big Cork Tree - Day 1 Hour 1](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-1-1.jpg)
Here is the initial sketch for the painting.
Day 1 / Hour 4
![Big Cork Tree - Day 1 Hour 4](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-1-4.jpg)
Sky and clouds were added first from a photograph taken by my wife, Jennifer. I blocked in the land features: A sloped hill, a vast plain, and distant mountains.
Day 1 / Hour 5
![Big Cork Tree - Day 1 Hour 5](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-1-5.jpg)
While the foreground paint was still wet, I began to add details to the land features. I laid in a rough outline of the tree shadow.
Day 1 / Hour 6
![Big Cork Tree - Day 1 Hour 6](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-1-6.jpg)
More details are added to the fields. I wanted a second area of interest on the plains, and you can make out a group of trees on the middle right.
Day 2 / Hour 7
![Big Cork Tree - Day 2 Hour 7](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-2-7.jpg)
After a few days of drying, I was ready to begin adding the tree. I usually wait for the paint to dry a little before adding my main features, in this case, the cork tree. After a bit of time went by, I added the trunk and some branches. I used a very dark base at this point because I plan to add my highlights later. Also, I added some highlights to the foreground, bringing out some small plants and grasses. The group of trees on the plain is detailed and shadowed.
Day 2 / Hour 8
![Big Cork Tree - Day 2 Hour 8](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-2-8.jpg)
I painted the outline of the cork tree. (Note: I painted the entire sky beforehand because I wanted to try and make this tree without having to go back and add light holes later.)
Day 2 / Hour 9
![Big Cork Tree - Day 2 Hour 9](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-2-9.jpg)
Carefully following the reference engraving of the cork tree, I started blocking the bulk of the tree leaves. I used a dark green for this because I intend to build up the tree in layers from farthest to closest. I will add the highlights as a final layer.
Day 2 / Hour 10
![Big Cork Tree - Day 2 Hour 10](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-2-10.jpg)
Once I had the leaves blocked in, I painted the branches and was careful to taper them as they extended toward the outer part of the tree. Near the outside area, they disappear.
Day 3 / Hour 12
![Big Cork Tree - Day 2 Hour 12](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-3-12.jpg)
I added my first layer of highlights using a brighter green to capture the sun’s rays on the leaves. Also, I added more highlights to the foreground to improve the balance between the tree and the grassy hill. The shadow under the tree also takes on a better definition.
Day 3 / Hour 12
![Big Cork Tree - Day 3 Hour 13](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-3-13.jpg)
As a last layer on the tree, I added some darker areas. Subsequently, I felt the tree top continued to be too bright. I passed over the hill to highlight the grasses and tree shadows further.
Day 4 / Hour 15
![Big Cork Tree - Day 4 Hour 15](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-DAY-4-15.jpg)
Now for the final touches. First, I added more shadow to the tree leaves to give a greater sense of light coming straight down from the top. Then the leaves on the underside are shadowed for better effect. Lastly, I added a highlight across the hill.
Finished Painting – “Big Cork Tree”
![](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/tutorials/oil-painting-BCT/okeefe-arts-tutorials-john-okeefe-jr-big-cork-tree-LARGE-FRAMED.jpg)
I hope you enjoyed my tutorial “Big Cork Tree” by John O’Keefe Jr.