plate no. 4096
Blick von Alturfahr
Gazmend Freitag, 2020
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex shapes into basic forms. It also provides an opportunity to learn about reflections in water.
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 buildings, hill, and water line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and greens, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the base colors of the water, mixing blues, greens, and a touch of brown.
- step 04
Paint the distant buildings and hill with simplified shapes and colors.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, including windows and roof lines.
- step 06
Develop the trees with varied greens and short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 07
Create the water reflection with vertical strokes, mirroring the colors above.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · sap green · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Achieve the water's color variations by layering different shades of blue and green.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color technique
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·creating reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the buildings.
- →Making the water reflection too perfect and symmetrical.
- →Using too much white, which can make the colors look chalky.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
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