plate no. 7784
Capri. Entrance to Monastery.
Mikhaïl Nesterov, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and layering brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural 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
Sketch the basic shapes of the building and landscape, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of paint.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
- step 04
Add details to the building, such as the windows and doors.
- step 05
Create texture in the foreground with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values, making sure the painting has a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the vegetation and small highlights.
- step 08
Let dry and varnish.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow light
Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of white. Use raw umber to create shadows and darker tones.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using colors that are too bright and not muted enough.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of light and shadow.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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