plate no. 1152

Landscape of Ávila, Spain

Rubén de Luis, 2022

oilImpressionismlandscapecityscapewallsbuildingstreeslandscapesky

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex shapes into basic forms. Students can practice layering colors and using broken color techniques to create texture and visual interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cityscape, walls, and foreground elements, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of blue and white.
step 03
Block in the large masses of color for the city walls, buildings, and landscape, using a limited palette of earth tones and greens.
step 04
Develop the details of the city walls and buildings, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Paint the foreground trees and vegetation, using broken color techniques to create texture and depth.
step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the realism and visual interest of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · cerulean blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of green by combining sap green with yellow ochre and burnt umber. Create lighter tones by adding titanium white. Achieve the warm tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance through atmospheric perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form and volume.