plate no. 8463
L'appel du voyageur
Theo Gerber, 1973
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to create a focal point within a surreal composition. Students will also learn how to mix colors to achieve a muted palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks and the circular window.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, sea, and rocks with thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up the texture of the rocks with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
- step 04
Define the shapes and shadows within the rocks, using darker tones.
- step 05
Paint the island within the circle, paying attention to the details and colors.
- step 06
Add highlights to the rocks and the island to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the rocks and the circle to create a cohesive composition.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
secondary · titanium white · viridian green · purple
Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker rock shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the lighter areas. Mix viridian green and ultramarine blue for the sea.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the rocks.
- →Creating too much contrast, making the painting look harsh.
- →Not blending the colors smoothly enough.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the rocks and sea.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·purple oil paint
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grit canvas to help create texture. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth of colors.
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