plate no. 2564
A Winding Road – Cornish Landscape
Matthew Smith, 1920
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice expressive color mixing and applying bold brushstrokes to create texture and form. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and experiment with non-realistic color palettes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the landscape: the path, hills, trees, and houses.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, focusing on defining the shapes and adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
- step 04
Mix and apply the vibrant reds, greens, and blues, paying attention to how they interact with each other.
- step 05
Refine the details of the trees, houses, and path, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the foliage and grass.
- step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making adjustments as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and details to enhance the expressiveness of the painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · viridian green
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · titanium white
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve the pinks and reds by mixing cadmium red with alizarin crimson and white. Use white to lighten and create variations in all colors.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color layering
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
- →Losing the initial sketch and structure of the composition.
- →Being too literal with the colors and not embracing the expressive nature of the Fauvist style.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, cadmium red, viridian green, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, titanium white)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use good quality oil paints for richer colors. A medium can help with blending and drying time.
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