plate no. 9847
La Cour Des Lions À L'alhambra De Grenade
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, value shading, and creating atmospheric depth using a limited palette. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and cast shadows.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective lines of the courtyard and the placement of the fountain.
- step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin building up the colors of the walls and floor, paying attention to subtle variations in tone.
- step 04
Define the columns and arches, using a slightly darker value to create depth.
- step 05
Carefully render the fountain, focusing on its geometric shapes and the details of the lion sculptures.
- step 06
Add the cast shadows, paying attention to their shape and direction.
- step 07
Refine the details and edges, using small brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
- step 08
Add final highlights to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing raw umber and burnt sienna with varying amounts of white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the sunlit areas and ivory black to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linear perspective
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong, which will throw off the entire composition.
- →Making the colors too saturated, which will detract from the painting's subtle atmosphere.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value, which will make the painting look flat.
- →Overworking the details, which will make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for subtle blending. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting to create a warm undertone.
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