plate no. 0252

Landscape with ruins

oilBaroquelandscapelandscaperuinstreescloudsfoliagearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering of tones and details. It will also give practice in rendering textures of foliage and aged brick.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the ruins, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes, blending the dark and light areas to create cloud formations.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees and foreground, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the foliage and ground, creating a sense of depth.
step 05
Add details to the ruins, including the brick texture and the effects of weathering.
step 06
Refine the tree branches and leaves, using a smaller brush to create intricate details.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the focal points and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, Prussian blue, and yellow ochre. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Black can be added sparingly to darken shadows.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·dry brushing
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, which can flatten the perspective.
→Using too much black, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and foliage.
→Failing to create a strong sense of depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, Prussian blue, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags

optional

·Retouch varnish
·Medium (e.g., Liquin)

Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of raw umber) to help establish the overall value structure.

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