plate no. 0012

Erupción en apogeo

Dr. Atl, 1960

oilExpressionismlandscapevolcanomountainslavaskytreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practice depicting light and shadow in a dynamic landscape. Students will also learn how to create a sense of movement and energy through brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and volcano, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of blue, blending it into the horizon.
step 03
Establish the dark tones of the mountains and foreground with a mix of browns and blacks.
step 04
Add the base color for the lava flow, using a mix of orange and red.
step 05
Begin layering lighter shades of orange and yellow to create highlights and depth in the lava.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, including trees and other vegetation.
step 07
Refine the sky with subtle color variations and add stars.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red · cadmium yellow

secondary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix burnt umber and black for the dark mountains. Use cadmium red and yellow for the lava, adding white for highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Not establishing a strong value contrast between light and dark areas.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and mountains.
→Getting lost in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, titanium white, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·palette knife