plate no. 5445

Landscape with a Scene of Witchcraft

oilBaroquelandscapelandscapetreesfiguresarchitectureriverfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex foliage. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main elements: figures, trees, and architecture.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, trees, and ground, paying attention to the relative values.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the trees, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add the architectural details, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 06
Paint the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 07
Add the water and its reflections, using horizontal brushstrokes to create a sense of movement.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · cadmium red

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of burnt umber. Vary the values by adding white or black to the base colors.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the principles of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, sap green, cadmium red)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife