plate no. 4060

Jackknife Village

Franklin Carmichael, 1926

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapehousesrockswaterskymountainsvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the houses, rocks, and distant mountains.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky, allowing it to blend naturally.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with a light, cool gray, indicating atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Add a base layer of blue to the water, leaving some areas lighter to suggest reflections.
step 05
Block in the shapes of the houses with light washes of white, gray, and ochre, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Paint the rocks with a mix of grays, browns, and blues, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 07
Add details to the houses, such as windows, doors, and chimneys, using darker tones.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as shadows and highlights, to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of blue, umber, and sienna. Achieve the blues of the water by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of gray.

techniques