plate no. 2210

Landscape with Ruins

oil, cardboardRomanticismlandscaperuinstowerlandscapetreesfoliagebuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create depth using color and value. It also provides practice in rendering textures of stone and foliage with visible brushstrokes.

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, tower, and surrounding landscape, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, defining the light and shadow areas.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, foliage, and stone, using a limited palette.
step 04
Develop the textures of the ruins and foliage with broken brushstrokes and layering of colors.
step 05
Add details to the tower and building, such as the window openings and cracks in the stone.
step 06
Refine the foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the small waterfall and the stream, adding reflections and highlights.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Create various shades of brown by mixing burnt umber with raw sienna and white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the sky and distant foliage.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy texture.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the foliage and stone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·viridian green oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·round brushes size 2, 4, and 6

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting to create a warmer base.

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