plate no. 8459
Lanzarote
Mary Fedden, 1977
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and limited color palettes. Students will learn to create a sense of depth and form using only a few values.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, building, and foreground.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, adding hints of purple for the clouds.
- step 03
Paint the mountains with a mix of browns and grays, varying the tones slightly.
- step 04
Fill in the dark area with a dark brown, leaving some white space for the 'river'.
- step 05
Add the white building, keeping the shapes simple and geometric.
- step 06
Paint the foreground with a light gray-white, using dry brush strokes to create texture.
- step 07
Add the dark strokes in the 'river' area.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add any final details.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · purple
Mix white with blue to create the sky. Vary the brown tones by adding white or a touch of blue. Use a very small amount of purple to tint the clouds.
techniques
- ·flat washes
- ·dry brushing
- ·simplified shapes
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors
- →making the shapes too detailed
- →using too many colors
- →not allowing enough white space
materials
surface · canvas board
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·canvas board
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·water container
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast drying time and ease of use. A canvas board is a good choice for beginners.
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