plate no. 7788
Ararat from Dvin
Martiros Sarian, 1952
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in understanding aerial perspective and color temperature changes.
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 composition, focusing on the mountain shapes and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, gradually darkening towards the top.
- step 03
Establish the distant landscape with muted greens and browns, using thin washes.
- step 04
Paint the middle ground fields with varying shades of green and yellow, adding subtle details.
- step 05
Add the trees in the foreground, using darker greens and browns, and visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Define the mountain with shades of gray, blue, and white, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Add the snow caps with thick impasto of white and light blue.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the mountain's cool grays by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Use white to lighten and cool colors for the sky and distant landscape.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brush
- ·color mixing
- ·aerial perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Making the colors too saturated, especially in the distant landscape.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not simplifying the forms of the trees and mountains.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes size 4 and 8
- ·flat brush size 6
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas for better paint adhesion. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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