plate no. 1543
Monadnock Orchard
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and sky.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: blue for the sky, greens and browns for the mountains and ground.
- step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows on the mountains and in the trees.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows to create highlights in the foliage.
- step 05
Paint the blossoms using small, broken strokes of white and pale pink.
- step 06
Refine the details of the tree branches and the shapes of the clouds.
- step 07
Add final highlights to the blossoms and the mountain peaks.
- step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · sap green · raw umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · burnt sienna
Mix greens by blending blue and yellow, and create variations by adding brown or crimson. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing blues, browns, and greens.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blossoms, making them appear flat.
- →Failing to create enough depth in the landscape.
- →Using too much pure white, resulting in a chalky appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the mountains.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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