plate no. 8133
Brunswick Square, London
Graham Bell, 1940
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
- step 02
Block in the sky and water with diluted blues and grays.
- step 03
Establish the main tree shapes with darker blues and purples, paying attention to their silhouette.
- step 04
Add the green areas of the park, varying the shades to create depth.
- step 05
Paint the path with light yellows and browns, suggesting the direction of light.
- step 06
Add the figures and lamppost, keeping them simple and slightly blurred.
- step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage with small brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the atmospheric effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · alizarin crimson
Mix blues and umber for the trees and water. Use white to create lighter values and atmospheric haze. Add a touch of alizarin crimson to darken the blues and create purples.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Using too much bright color and creating a jarring contrast.
- →Making the trees too symmetrical and unnatural.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that create depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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