plate no. 3382
Landscape with the Flight into Egypt
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1563
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering complex landscapes with varied textures and details.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, river, and foreground elements.
- step 02
Establish the sky and distant mountains with thin washes of color, using lighter values for areas further away.
- step 03
Block in the major landforms, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually adding highlights.
- step 04
Develop the details of the rocks and trees in the foreground, paying attention to texture and form.
- step 05
Add the figures, ensuring they are appropriately scaled and placed within the landscape.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adjusting the atmospheric perspective as needed.
- step 07
Add final details such as small plants, branches, and highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Glaze over certain areas to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian
Achieve the muted greens by mixing ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding white to the colors as they recede into the distance.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of atmospheric perspective, resulting in a flat image.
- →Overworking the details in the foreground, making it appear too busy.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, creating an unrealistic effect.
- →Inaccurate scaling of the figures within the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·turpentine
- ·linseed oil
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a fine-grained canvas to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the oil paints.
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