plate no. 6184

Cordillerano

Georg Miciú, 1997

oilContemporary Realismgenre paintingfigureshorseslandscapemountainsriversky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and broken color application to create texture and depth. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, horses, and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thinned paint.
step 03
Begin applying thick impasto paint to create texture, starting with the background and moving towards the foreground.
step 04
Use a palette knife or stiff brush to apply individual strokes of color, allowing them to mix optically rather than on the palette.
step 05
Focus on capturing the essence of the forms rather than precise details, using color and texture to suggest shapes.
step 06
Pay attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and form.
step 07
Refine the details in the focal areas, such as the figures and horses, while keeping the rest of the painting loose and expressive.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, red and green) with white. Use a limited palette to maintain color harmony.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Palette knife application
·Dry brush
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and neglecting the overall composition.
→Mixing colors too much on the palette, resulting in muddy tones.
→Applying the paint too thinly, failing to achieve the desired impasto effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium orange, alizarin crimson, sap green)
·Palette knife
·Assorted bristle brushes (flat and filbert)
·Palette
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags