plate no. 2695

Inyo Mountains

Maynard Dixon, 1944

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainsdesertlandscapeskyshadows

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and understanding how light and shadow define those forms. Students will also practice color mixing to achieve the subtle variations in the desert landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, mountains (light and shadow), and foreground.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the mountains, paying attention to the angles and edges.
step 04
Mix the colors for the light and shadow areas on the mountains, using a limited palette.
step 05
Apply the paint with visible brushstrokes, following the contours of the mountains.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as the suggestion of vegetation or rocks.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the mountains.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber

Mix burnt sienna and white for the sunlit mountain areas, adding small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth. Use ultramarine blue mixed with raw umber for the shadows, adjusting the ratio for different shadow depths.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·visible brushstrokes
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to simplify the complex forms of the mountains.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, unconvincing landscape.