plate no. 3408
Near Pisa
Jeffrey Smart, 1995
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating smooth gradients and rendering realistic textures, as well as understanding perspective and composition in a surreal setting. It also provides practice in painting figures in a stylized manner.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the road and barrier.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky, hill, and road with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the horizon line and the placement of the figures and buildings.
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the hill to create texture and depth, using dry brush techniques.
- step 05
Paint the barrier with precise lines and shadows to create a three-dimensional effect.
- step 06
Add details to the figures, focusing on their clothing and posture.
- step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and road, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium orange
secondary · cadmium yellow · ivory black · burnt sienna
Mix various shades of gray for the road and barrier by combining black and white with small amounts of umber. The hill uses a mix of raw umber, white, and a touch of sienna. The sky is achieved with ultramarine blue and white, with subtle variations.
techniques
- ·smooth blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·linear perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·geometric rendering
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate perspective of the road and barrier.
- →Overly harsh blending, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Incorrect color mixing, leading to unrealistic tones.
- →Neglecting subtle variations in color and texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality paints to achieve the desired color saturation and longevity. A smooth canvas surface will aid in blending.
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