plate no. 1362

Georgia. Kazbek (day). Georgian Military Road. Mountain and village

Ilya Mashkov, 1920

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapemountainsvillageskycloudsbuildingslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms. It also provides practice in capturing atmospheric perspective and the effect of light on different surfaces.

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, village, and sky.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main shapes of the landscape.
step 03
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest clouds.
step 04
Apply the base colors for the mountains and fields, using a mix of yellows, greens, and browns.
step 05
Layer additional colors to create depth and texture in the mountains and fields, using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the village buildings, using a mix of browns, grays, and whites.
step 07
Refine the details of the sky, mountains, and fields, paying attention to the effects of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and sap green with small amounts of blue. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing burnt sienna with white and touches of blue and yellow.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance in the landscape.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them properly.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow on the different surfaces.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (yellow ochre, cerulean blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, sap green, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags