plate no. 6666

Desert

Mary Fedden, 1989

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)landscapedesertlandscapeskysandarchitecturehorizon

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in simplifying a complex landscape into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create depth. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the landscape: horizon line, large sand formations, and the architectural structure.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light purple.
step 03
Establish the main color areas of the sand using a light beige/tan mix. Vary the tone slightly for different planes.
step 04
Add darker shades of brown and tan to create shadows and define the forms of the sand dunes.
step 05
Paint the light, winding riverbed with a pale off-white, adding subtle shadows to give it dimension.
step 06
Add the architectural structure in the foreground using a light beige, paying attention to its simplified geometric form.
step 07
Use small, dark brown strokes to represent rocks and other details on the sand.
step 08
Refine the edges and add any final highlights to enhance the sense of depth and texture.

color palette

primary · beige · tan · light purple

secondary · brown · white · yellow ochre

Mix the various sand tones by combining beige, tan, and small amounts of brown or yellow ochre. The sky color is achieved by mixing white with a touch of purple.

techniques