plate no. 5738
Le Golf
Emilio Grau Sala, 1961
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, building, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, grass, and building, using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering in darker and lighter values to define the shapes and create depth.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, focusing on capturing their gestures and clothing.
- step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the grass and sky.
- step 06
Refine the details of the building, paying attention to the patterns and shadows.
- step 07
Add highlights to the figures and the landscape to create a sense of light.
- step 08
Review and adjust the composition, colors, and values as needed.
color palette
primary · viridian green · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten colors. Achieve muted tones by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and not simplifying the forms.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water for cleaning
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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