plate no. 1417

Ciurana, the Path

Joan Miro, 1917

oil, canvasCubismlandscapelandscapehillstreespathskyvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and simplifying complex landscapes into abstract shapes. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes and non-realistic color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition of the landscape, focusing on the arrangement of hills, path, and vegetation.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of blue.
step 03
Begin layering in the colors of the hills, using purples, yellows, and greens. Focus on creating distinct shapes and patterns.
step 04
Paint the path with a bright yellow, defining its edges and curves.
step 05
Add details to the vegetation, using greens and browns to create texture and form.
step 06
Incorporate small details like the red dots in the foreground.
step 07
Refine the edges and shapes, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green · purple

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt umber · red

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue, purples by combining red and blue. Use white to lighten colors and create variations in value. Mix browns using red, yellow, and blue.

techniques

·color blocking
·layering
·expressive brushstrokes
·simplification of form
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the abstract quality.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Not simplifying the landscape enough.
→Ignoring the color relationships between different areas of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, sap green, purple, cadmium yellow, burnt umber, red, titanium white)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine

optional