plate no. 1607
LANDSCAPE (NORTH COUNTY DUBLIN)
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow within a limited color palette. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes and focusing on essential elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the cloud and landmass.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue-gray, leaving space for the cloud.
- step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the cloud with a light, warm tone (e.g., white mixed with a touch of yellow ochre).
- step 04
Paint the landmass with a mid-tone brown-gray, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
- step 05
Add darker values to the cloud to create depth and form, using a mix of browns and grays.
- step 06
Reflect the sky and cloud colors in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add small details like figures and boats with dark, simple shapes.
- step 08
Refine the edges of the cloud and landmass, softening some areas and sharpening others.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve the various grays by mixing white with small amounts of umber and blue. Use yellow ochre to warm up the cloud highlights. Create atmospheric perspective by lightening the colors as they recede into the distance.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the cloud details, resulting in a stiff appearance.
- →Creating too much contrast, losing the subtle atmospheric effect.
- →Ignoring the reflections in the water, making it appear flat.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, clashing with the overall muted tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·#6 round brush
- ·#4 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of raw umber) can be helpful for establishing the overall value range.
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