plate no. 5784
Light Landscape
Janos Mattis-Teutsch, 1917
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and how to simplify a landscape into basic shapes and colors. It also provides practice in applying paint with visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, trees, and sky, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Apply the yellow for the fields, varying the tone slightly to create depth.
- step 04
Paint the pink hills, blending the edges with the surrounding colors.
- step 05
Add the green foliage in the foreground and background, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the pink tree trunks and green leaves, paying attention to their curved shapes.
- step 07
Add details and highlights to the foliage and hills to create texture and interest.
- step 08
Review and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · yellow · pink · green · blue
secondary · white · light green · light blue
Mix different shades of green by combining yellow and blue. Create pink by mixing red and white. Vary the intensity of colors by adding white or complementary colors.
techniques
- ·blocking
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Creating too much detail, losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes, resulting in a flat, lifeless painting.
- →Ignoring the color relationships between different areas of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints (yellow, pink, green, blue, white)
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·rags
- ·water or solvent
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for easy handling. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean up, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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