plate no. 7488
Landscape
Jules Dupre, 1870
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose, expressive brushwork to capture the mood of a landscape. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations to depict light and shadow in the sky and field.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky and land.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of light and dark tones, focusing on the cloud formations.
- step 03
Establish the horizon line and the distant trees with dark, muted colors.
- step 04
Lay in the base color for the field, varying the tones to suggest depth and texture.
- step 05
Add the sheep as simple shapes, using highlights and shadows to give them form.
- step 06
Refine the cloud formations with smaller brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 07
Add details to the field, such as grass and shadows, to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and atmospheric effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix white with small amounts of umber and ochre for the clouds. Use blue and umber to create the dark tones for the distant trees. Vary the field colors by mixing ochre, umber, and sienna in different proportions.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Creating too much contrast, making the painting look harsh.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unrealistic landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·#4 round brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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