plate no. 2774
Brittany Landscape
Emily Carr, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a vibrant landscape. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition: horizon line, hills, trees, and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall color scheme.
- step 03
Start adding thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to define the shapes and forms.
- step 04
Mix and apply different shades of green for the trees and fields, using short, broken strokes.
- step 05
Use contrasting colors (blues, purples, yellows) to create highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Add details to the buildings and trees, focusing on capturing their essence rather than precise details.
- step 07
Refine the composition and color balance, adjusting values and adding final touches.
- step 08
Let dry and consider adding a varnish for protection and to enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · violet
Mix greens by combining yellow and blue with varying ratios. Use white to lighten colors and create tints. Mix violet by combining red and blue.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color layering
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and not simplifying the forms.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Neglecting the importance of color harmony and contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (for cleaning)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·rags
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to create a unified color base.
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