plate no. 3681
Lilacs and Mountains
Maurice Braun, 1920
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose brushwork to create a sense of depth and texture. Students will also learn to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, mountains, water, and foreground hills.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of the figures.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, mountains, and water, focusing on value relationships.
- step 04
Add the darker values to the foreground hills, creating depth and form.
- step 05
Begin adding details to the foreground, using loose brushstrokes to suggest foliage and texture.
- step 06
Paint the figures on horseback, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouette.
- step 07
Refine the details in the mountains and sky, adding subtle color variations.
- step 08
Add highlights and final touches to the foreground to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · payne's gray
Mix various shades of gray and blue for the sky and mountains. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the foreground hills, adding white for highlights.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of atmosphere.
- →Creating too much contrast, making the painting look flat.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a muddy painting.
- →Not simplifying the forms of the figures, making them look out of place.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes #2, #6, #8
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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