plate no. 8423

Monte Acuto, Umbria

William Balthazar Rose, 2020

oilCubismlandscapemountainstreeslandscapeskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes and use color to define planes and create depth. It also provides practice in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and foreground foliage, focusing on their geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the mountains and foliage with a mix of dark blue and green.
step 04
Add the lighter green and brown tones to the foreground foliage, varying the color intensity.
step 05
Paint the tree trunk and branches, using a mix of brown and green.
step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the mountains and foliage, adding more detail and variation in color.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · viridian green · cerulean blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the value by adding white or burnt umber. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing blues and greens with white to create muted tones.

techniques

·broken color
·geometric abstraction
·layering
·scumbling
·color blocking

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the geometric shapes of the forms.
→Not varying the color intensity enough, leading to a flat composition.
→Ignoring the importance of highlights and shadows in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (viridian green, cerulean blue, titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, sap green, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted flat brushes (#2, #6, #10)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

optional

·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel
·rags

Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider pre-toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber to create a warm undertone.

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