plate no. 2999
Bisset Farm
Franklin Carmichael, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to mix subtle color variations to represent snow and distant mountains. It also provides practice in depicting simple architectural forms within a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, buildings, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and white washes, blending the colors softly.
- step 03
Block in the distant mountains with layers of blues, purples, and grays, using lighter tones for mountains further away.
- step 04
Paint the mid-ground hills with warmer grays and browns, adding subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Lay down a base layer of white for the snow-covered fields, adding shadows with cool grays and blues.
- step 06
Paint the buildings with simple shapes and colors, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
- step 07
Add details to the snow, such as tracks and shadows, to create depth and texture.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final touches.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · payne's gray
Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve the mountain colors by blending blue and umber with varying amounts of white. Use yellow ochre and red sparingly for subtle warmth in the landscape.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the snow and losing its subtle variations.
- →Making the distant mountains too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color shifts in the landscape.
- →Creating too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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