plate no. 4465
Garden with woodland
Cuno Amiet, 1933
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students can learn to capture the essence of a landscape using expressive brushstrokes and a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the distant trees and the hedge.
- step 04
Add the mid-ground trees and bushes, layering greens and blues.
- step 05
Define the water feature with a flat blue tone.
- step 06
Paint the flower beds, using reds, pinks, and greens.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and flowers with small brushstrokes.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and add highlights.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Cadmium yellow · Titanium white
secondary · Cadmium red · Sap green · Burnt umber
Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and Cadmium yellow. Create muted tones by adding a touch of Burnt umber to the primary colors.
techniques
- ·Impasto
- ·Broken color
- ·Layering
- ·Color mixing
- ·Simplification of forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Ignoring the underlying structure
- →Not varying brushstrokes
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·Flat brush (size 10)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Easel
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Rags
Use a limited palette to encourage color mixing and harmony. Experiment with different brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
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