plate no. 5186
Houses with Trees
Janos Mattis-Teutsch, 1910
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and experiment with color relationships, especially using complementary colors to create vibrancy.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: buildings, tree, garden bed, and figure.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, ground, buildings, and foliage.
- step 03
Add the darker values to define the forms and create depth.
- step 04
Introduce secondary colors to add interest and variation.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and edges, paying attention to the relationships between colors.
- step 06
Add details like the windows and the path.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow · green · pink · blue
secondary · purple · turquoise · light green
Mix greens by combining yellow and blue, and purples by combining pink and blue. Use white to lighten colors and create tints.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified shapes
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Not paying attention to the relationships between colors.
- →Making the values too uniform and losing the sense of depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes
- ·Flat brushes
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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