plate no. 0750
Garden at Văratec
Horia Bernea, 1987
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hill, trees, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of a neutral color (e.g., raw umber) to tone the canvas.
- step 03
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
- step 04
Establish the dark areas of the trees and foliage with a mix of greens and browns.
- step 05
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows onto the hill, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add details to the trees, varying the greens and adding highlights to suggest sunlight.
- step 07
Refine the foreground with small details like grasses and wildflowers.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression of light and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · cerulean blue
secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and adjust the hue with small amounts of brown or white. Create lighter values by adding white to the primary colors.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating flat, uniform areas of color without variation.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color that create depth.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
- ·photo reference
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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