plate no. 1024
Edinburgh from St Anthony's Chapel
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural details with simplified brushstrokes. It also encourages practice in creating depth and layering in a landscape composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, city, and river.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue and grey.
- step 03
Block in the distant mountains and city with diluted blues and purples to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Add the mid-ground hills and buildings, gradually increasing the color saturation and detail.
- step 05
Define the river and foreground elements, paying attention to reflections and textures.
- step 06
Refine the details in the buildings and trees, using smaller brushes and varied brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green
Mix muted greens for the hills by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to the blues and purples for distant elements.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the distant city, losing the atmospheric effect.
- →Making the foreground too bright and saturated, flattening the perspective.
- →Neglecting the subtle color variations in the sky and hills.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted round and flat brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas (light ochre or grey) to establish a base color.
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