plate no. 0789

Figures in the Desert at Eddis

oilOrientalismgenre paintingdesertlandscapefigureshorsesmountainsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve earthy tones and practice creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

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 placement of the mountains, buildings, figures, and animals.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, creating a subtle gradient.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the mountains and buildings using a mix of earth tones.
step 04
Add darker values to the mountains to define their form and create shadows.
step 05
Paint the figures and animals, paying attention to their proportions and the folds of the clothing.
step 06
Develop the foreground with varied earth tones, suggesting the texture of the desert ground.
step 07
Add highlights to the figures, animals, and buildings to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix burnt sienna and raw umber with white to create the various shades of brown and beige for the buildings and landscape. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre near the horizon for warmth.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast to create depth.
→Making the figures too detailed, drawing attention away from the overall composition.
→Failing to suggest the texture of the desert ground.