plate no. 6904

Desert Storm

Sidney Nolan, 1955

oil, boardExpressionismlandscapelandscapeskytreesdesertplantshorizon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and values. Students will also learn to create a sense of distance and perspective through color and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the placement of major elements like the large plant on the left.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the base color of the ground with a mix of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white.
step 04
Begin layering in darker values in the foreground and lighter values towards the horizon to create depth.
step 05
Paint the distant trees and plants with thin, vertical strokes, using a muted blue-gray color.
step 06
Add the dark branches of the foreground plant, paying attention to their shapes and angles.
step 07
Introduce subtle color variations in the ground, such as hints of yellow, brown, and gray.
step 08
Refine the details of the sky and ground, blending edges and adding highlights.

color palette

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

secondary · payne's gray · raw sienna

Mix cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of gray for the distant clouds. Use yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white in varying proportions to create the ground colors. Add a touch of blue to the ground color to create the distant hills.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling
·blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of distance.
→Using too much pure color, resulting in a flat and unrealistic landscape.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create depth and atmosphere.
→Making the branches too uniform and symmetrical.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·cerulean blue oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·burnt umber oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (small and medium)
·flat brushes (medium)
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

A slightly textured canvas will help to create a more interesting surface for the painting. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paint.

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