plate no. 1684

Girasoles y campanas

oilContemporary Realismlandscapesunflowerslandscapechurchtreesfoliagesky

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing impasto techniques and learning how to create depth with layers of textured brushstrokes. It also helps develop skills in color mixing and creating a sense of light and shadow within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the sunflowers and the church in the background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, foliage, sunflowers, and building.
step 03
Start building up the texture with thick paint, using a palette knife or stiff brush.
step 04
Focus on the sunflowers, adding details to the petals and leaves.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the church, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · cerulean blue

Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre and white. Use burnt umber to create darker shades and shadows. Add small amounts of blue to greens for cooler tones.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the paint and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Making the colors too muddy by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium yellow, cerulean blue)
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags