plate no. 1249
Kent House
Jamie Wyeth, 1971
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice rendering complex textures like rocks and architectural details, while also focusing on atmospheric perspective and color temperature variations in the sky. Students will develop skills in layering paint and creating depth through value and color.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the house and the overall shape of the rocky hill.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a base layer of light blue, gradually adding subtle variations in tone and color.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the rocks, paying attention to their angles and sizes.
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the rocks, using a mix of warm and cool tones to create depth and form.
- step 05
Add details to the house, focusing on accurate proportions and architectural elements.
- step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights on both the rocks and the house to enhance the sense of realism.
- step 07
Add final details, such as small cracks and textures on the rocks, and subtle variations in the sky.
- step 08
Glaze overall to unify the colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · cerulean blue
Mix various shades of brown and gray for the rocks by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Achieve the sky's subtle variations by mixing ultramarine and cerulean blue with white.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overtly blending the rocks, losing the angularity.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky.
- →Getting the perspective of the house wrong.
- →Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow, raw sienna, cerulean blue)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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