plate no. 3023

Fallow Ground

Sorin Ilfoveanu, 1981

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapehousesfieldstreesskywinter

some experience helpful

This painting helps develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and using a limited color palette to convey a mood. Students will practice layering and scumbling techniques to create texture and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the houses and fields.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of grey, allowing variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the landscape with diluted washes of brown and ochre.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shadows and contours of the hills and buildings.
step 05
Introduce the snow with touches of white, varying the thickness and texture.
step 06
Paint the bare trees with thin, gestural lines, using a fine brush.
step 07
Add details to the houses, such as roofs and windows, using small brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding subtle color variations.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · Prussian blue · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre. Use Prussian blue sparingly to create cooler grays and blues for the sky and distant elements.

techniques