Grandma (after Mass)

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · burnt sienna · light blue

Achieve the stone colors by mixing raw umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white in varying proportions. Use ivory black to darken shadows and light blue to create a subtle atmospheric effect in the sky.

techniques

• ·dry brush texture
• ·value gradation
• ·atmospheric perspective
• ·blocking in
• ·scumbling

common pitfalls

• →Getting the perspective wrong, which can make the building look distorted.
• →Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
• →Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow, which can make the painting look flat.
• →Not paying attention to the atmospheric perspective, which can make the background look too sharp.