plate no. 2695
Landscape with Figures
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing figures in a landscape. It also provides practice in creating soft, blended brushstrokes to convey a sense of mood and atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figures, the shoreline, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, water, and land using thin washes.
- step 03
Add darker tones to define the landscape features and create depth.
- step 04
Begin to build up the figures with simple shapes and colors, focusing on proportions.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figures, adding clothing and facial features.
- step 06
Blend the edges of the figures and landscape to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figures and landscape to create a sense of light and shadow.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use thin washes of color to build up depth and atmosphere.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Creating hard edges that detract from the soft, blended look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes size 2, 4, 6
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a smooth texture for easier blending. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil to create transparent washes.
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