plate no. 8524
Kerity Landscape
Louis Marcoussis, 1927
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and geometric shapes in landscape painting, as well as how to create depth using color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and their placement on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land masses, and buildings.
- step 03
Refine the shapes of the buildings and land, paying attention to the cubist fragmentation.
- step 04
Add details like the clouds, boat, and brick textures.
- step 05
Adjust the values to create depth and contrast.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms further.
- step 07
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · black · sap green · gray
Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the land and buildings. Mix black and white for the gray tones.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·color layering
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Losing the geometric structure.
- →Not paying attention to value contrasts.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, but oils will provide richer colors and blending capabilities.
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