plate no. 0010

A Mountain Landscape in Wales

oilCubismlandscapemountainslandscapehillstreesroadsky

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes, characteristic of Cubist-influenced landscapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, hills, and road, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the mountains, starting with the furthest mountains using cooler, muted tones.
step 05
Paint the hills and fields with varying shades of green, brown, and yellow, using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the road and stone wall, paying attention to the perspective.
step 07
Paint the trees and foliage, using darker greens and browns to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and texture.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · raw sienna

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create cool grays and blues for the distant mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create earth tones for the fields and hills. Mix sap green with yellow ochre and white for various shades of green.

techniques

·layering
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective
·simplified forms
·directional brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to create sufficient depth through color and value changes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Ignoring the geometric simplification of forms.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, sap green, raw sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife