plate no. 2904
Basque Landscape
Leon Kroll, 1914
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: mountains, buildings, field, and sky.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light gray and white, paying attention to the cloud formations.
- step 03
Establish the distant mountains with muted blues and greens.
- step 04
Paint the field with varying shades of green, suggesting individual plants with short brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add the buildings and trees, using darker greens and browns for shadows.
- step 06
Refine the details of the clouds and foliage, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add the tall tree on the right with vertical brushstrokes.
- step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors to create a cohesive composition.
color palette
primary · titanium white · viridian green · raw umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or raw umber. Create grays by mixing ultramarine blue, raw umber, and white. Use burnt sienna to warm up the greens and browns.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the field, making it look too busy.
- →Creating too much contrast in the sky, losing the atmospheric effect.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and brushstroke visibility.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
