plate no. 1182

Landscape with Ruins

oilNeoclassicismlandscaperuinstreeslandscapefoliageskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in rendering atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the ruins, trees, and landscape, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue washes, blending the colors to create a soft, cloudy effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the ruins, using a mix of browns, oranges, and yellows.
step 04
Add darker values to the shadows and crevices of the ruins to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Paint the foliage, using various shades of green and yellow to represent the different types of plants.
step 06
Layer the colors in the foliage to create texture and depth, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the trees, such as branches and leaves, using a fine brush.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final details, such as highlights and shadows.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the warm tones of the ruins by blending burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques