plate no. 8657
Le grand depayseur
Felix Labisse, 1964
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blending subtle color transitions and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also encourages imaginative interpretation of form and light.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the floating island and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the background sky with a gradient of blues and grays.
- step 03
Establish the base colors of the island, focusing on light and shadow.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the undulating forms of the island.
- step 05
Add highlights to the peaks and edges of the island to define its shape.
- step 06
Paint the small pools of water with vibrant blues and greens.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and details on the underside of the island.
- step 08
Add final touches and blend any harsh edges.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · payne's gray
Achieve the subtle gradations by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. Use red and green sparingly to create depth and warmth in the shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in muddy colors.
- →Failing to create a strong sense of light and shadow.
- →Inaccurate color mixing, leading to a flat or unrealistic appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and island.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry slightly before applying the next.
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