plate no. 1749
Hill
Candido Portinari, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and understanding atmospheric perspective through color and value changes. It also provides practice in painting figures in a stylized, non-realistic manner.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, buildings, and figures, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the main hill color.
- step 03
Add the buildings and figures, using simplified shapes and colors.
- step 04
Develop the details of the buildings and figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add the details of the landscape, such as the trees and plants.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber
Mix burnt sienna with ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Use varying amounts of white with burnt sienna for the hills. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the figures' skin tones.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·simplified shapes
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·stylized figures
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes of the figures and buildings.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not simplifying the landscape details enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-textured canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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