plate no. 5885

Mountains. Dzoraget

Panos Terlemezian, 1930

oil, canvasRealismlandscapemountainskyrockslandscapecloudsvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding how light and shadow define the structure of a complex subject like a mountain. It also provides practice in depicting atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the mountain and surrounding landscape, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker tones of the mountain, focusing on the rock formations and crevices.
step 04
Add the mid-tones, blending them into the shadows to create a smooth transition.
step 05
Introduce the highlights, using thicker paint and a lighter touch.
step 06
Paint the sky, blending the blues and whites to create a soft, cloudy effect.
step 07
Add details to the foreground rocks and vegetation, using smaller brushes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium red light

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows. Add titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red light to create warmer tones in the rocks.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
→Not paying attention to the atmospheric perspective, causing the background to appear too sharp.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags