plate no. 6250
Concrete Cabin
Peter Doig, 1992
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to represent light filtering through a dense forest canopy. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into abstract shapes and patterns.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the cabin in the background.
- step 02
Establish the dark background with a mix of dark greens, browns, and blues.
- step 03
Begin layering in the tree trunks, varying the colors and values to create depth.
- step 04
Add the foliage using short, broken brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the dappled light.
- step 05
Paint the cabin in the background, simplifying the details and focusing on the overall shape and color.
- step 06
Introduce the lighter highlights on the trees and foliage to create contrast and visual interest.
- step 07
Add the abstract shapes and patterns to the foreground to suggest the forest floor.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · dark green · burnt umber · raw sienna · white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Achieve the dark greens by mixing ultramarine blue with burnt umber and a touch of yellow ochre. The highlights are created by mixing white with raw sienna and a touch of yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
- →Not varying the colors and values enough, resulting in a monotonous painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a palette knife for applying texture.
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