plate no. 0125

Desert Journey

Maynard Dixon, 1935

oilImpressionismgenre paintingcloudshorsefigurelandscapedesertmountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also offers practice in color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the major elements (clouds, mountains, figure).
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, gradually darkening towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the clouds using white and light gray, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Paint the distant mountains using muted oranges and browns, creating a sense of depth.
step 05
Block in the foreground with a base layer of reddish-brown, adding variations in tone and color.
step 06
Paint the bushes with shades of green, adding highlights and shadows to create volume.
step 07
Add the figure and horse, focusing on their silhouette and proportions.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as the shadows cast by the mountains and bushes.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · cadmium orange · sap green

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, blue, and a touch of brown. Achieve the muted colors of the mountains by mixing orange, brown, and a small amount of blue. Create the greens for the bushes by mixing yellow ochre and blue.

techniques