plate no. 0867
Fish in the air
Ivan Generalić, 1970
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as practicing precise brushwork for details like the fish scales and tree foliage. It also encourages exploring a naive art style with simplified forms and flattened perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the fish, the figure, and the main landscape elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land, and the basic shapes of the fish and figure.
- step 03
Start adding details to the sky, focusing on the cloud formations and subtle color variations.
- step 04
Develop the landscape by layering colors to create depth and texture in the trees and fields.
- step 05
Paint the figure, paying attention to the simplified forms and color choices.
- step 06
Focus on the fish, carefully rendering the scales and fins with precise brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the fishing line, the birds, and any highlights or shadows.
- step 08
Review and refine the painting, making any necessary adjustments to color, value, or composition.
color palette
primary · sky blue · white · red · green
secondary · yellow · brown · grey · ochre
Mix various shades of green by combining blue, yellow, and brown. Achieve the fish's scale color by mixing white with small amounts of red and brown. Create the sky's subtle variations by blending blue and white with hints of grey.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·detail brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the color palette and losing the naive art aesthetic.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in the landscape.
- →Inconsistent brushwork that detracts from the overall effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic paints (sky blue, white, red, green, yellow, brown)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Easel
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Using a canvas with a smooth surface will help achieve the desired level of detail. Acrylic paints are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use.
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