plate no. 3358
Kifissia
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and landscape elements.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of diluted paint.
- step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the forms, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow.
- step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 05
Define the edges of shapes with darker colors to create contrast.
- step 06
Add details such as windows, tiles, and foliage using smaller brushes.
- step 07
Refine the composition by adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna
Achieve the earthy tones by mixing ochre, burnt umber, and white. Create variations of green by mixing ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow with white. Use small amounts of red to warm up the browns.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (small, medium, large)
- ·flat brushes (small, medium)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Using a textured canvas can enhance the effect of the broken brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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