plate no. 2137
A Sunlit Townview With Figures Conversing
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice atmospheric perspective and rendering various textures like brick, foliage, and cobblestone. Students can also learn about creating a sense of depth through careful value and color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the buildings and street.
- step 02
Establish the sky and cloud shapes with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
- step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, focusing on their basic shapes and colors.
- step 06
Add the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red or viridian green to adjust the warmth or coolness of the colors.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong, leading to distorted buildings.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using too much detail in the background, flattening the image.
- →Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to help unify the colors.
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