Icelandic Landscape with Sheep, Man and Red Roof by Louisa Matthiasdottir

plate no. 2284

Icelandic Landscape with Sheep, Man and Red Roof

Louisa Matthiasdottir, 1983

oilExpressionismgenre paintinglandscapesheepfiguremountainswaterbuilding

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students will learn to create depth using color temperature and value changes in a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

2

brushwork visibility

3

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land, mountains, and buildings.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the sheep, figure, and other details.
step 04
Add subtle variations in color to create depth and interest.
step 05
Define the edges of shapes to create sharper or softer transitions.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the objects.
step 07
Check the overall balance and composition, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create tints.

techniques

·color blocking
·simplified shapes
·flat washes
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the simplicity.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the basic shapes and proportions.
→Not paying attention to the value relationships.
→Making the colors too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes size 4 and 8
·flat brush size 6
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium
·mineral spirits or water for cleaning

optional

·easel
·painting medium
·varnish

Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to start with a mid-value.

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