plate no. 0541
Guadarrama
Alejandro Cabeza, 2013
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint and using directional brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in mixing colors to create a sense of light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, trees, and sky.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the basic colors of the mountain, focusing on light and shadow.
- step 04
Add the dark greens of the trees and foliage in the foreground.
- step 05
Refine the shapes of the mountain with thicker paint and directional strokes.
- step 06
Add highlights to the trees and foliage, using lighter greens and yellows.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and add any final details.
- step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · sap green
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Mix white with blue for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use combinations of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for the mountain, and mix sap green with burnt sienna and ultramarine blue for darker greens.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy look.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much paint, which can make the painting look heavy.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the mountain.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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