plate no. 2990

Kurumkan

oil, cottonRealismlandscapemountainsskysnowlandscapevehicles

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good exercise in layering and creating depth using subtle value changes, as well as practicing visible brushstrokes to build texture. Students will also learn to simplify 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
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of yellow and white.
step 03
Apply a base layer of light blue-grey to the mountains, establishing the overall value.
step 04
Add darker values to the shadows and crevices of the mountains using a mix of blue, grey, and a touch of black.
step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and suggest the uneven surface of the snow.
step 06
Paint the small vehicles on the horizon line with simple rectangular shapes.
step 07
Add highlights to the mountains and snow using white and light blue.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · raw umber

Mix white with small amounts of blue to create the various shades of blue-grey for the mountains. Use yellow ochre and white for the sky. Add black or raw umber to darken the blues and greys for shadows.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the scene.
→Using too much black, which can make the colors look muddy.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
→Making the vehicles too detailed, which will distract from the overall composition.