plate no. 1120
Balcic Hills
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, buildings, and path, focusing on composition.
- step 02
Establish a light underpainting with a diluted warm tone (e.g., raw sienna).
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color: sky, hills, buildings, and vegetation.
- step 04
Start layering darker values to define the shadows and forms of the hills and buildings.
- step 05
Add details to the vegetation using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the path and add highlights to suggest sunlight.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to create focal points.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw sienna · burnt umber
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of browns and greens by combining raw sienna, burnt umber, and small amounts of sap green. Use white to lighten the tones and create highlights. Add a touch of red to warm up the browns.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not simplifying the forms and getting bogged down in details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (raw sienna, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green, cadmium red light)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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