plate no. 1197
Cloudy
Veniamin Kremer, 1975
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as 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
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and landscape, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, field, buildings, and trees, using thin washes.
- step 03
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth in the buildings and trees.
- step 04
Layer lighter values to create highlights and bring out the form of the landscape.
- step 05
Develop the texture of the field with broken brushstrokes and variations in color.
- step 06
Add details to the trees, such as branches and leaves, using a smaller brush.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details of the buildings, paying attention to perspective.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · olive green · burnt umber · gray · red oxide
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw sienna
Mix greens by blending olive green, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Achieve grays by mixing white with small amounts of burnt umber and red oxide.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
- →Failing to simplify complex forms.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (for oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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