plate no. 3226
Evacuation of the Pyrenees
Vela Zanetti, 1941
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a landscape. It also provides practice in using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and moody atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, mountains, and figures.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the village street.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the mountains and buildings with diluted washes of color.
- step 04
Add the darker values to define the shadows and create depth.
- step 05
Begin to add details to the buildings, such as windows and doors, using a smaller brush.
- step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 07
Add the snow details and highlights to the roofs and ground.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ivory black
Mix blues and umbers with white to create the cool tones of the sky and snow. Use raw sienna and burnt umber to add warmth to the buildings.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·value studies
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmosphere.
- →Using too many colors and creating a disjointed effect.
- →Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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