plate no. 5265
Mountain Folk
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. Students can also develop their skills in depicting figures within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main landscape elements.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start building up the values and adding details to the figures' clothing and faces.
- step 04
Develop the background landscape, paying attention to the variations in color and texture.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Refine the details and add any final touches.
- step 07
Allow to dry and apply a varnish to protect the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow
Mix white with yellow ochre and raw umber to create the various shades of the fur coats. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create a range of browns and grays for the landscape.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on individual elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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