plate no. 5905
Noite Estrelada
Lilian Greisse, 2017
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and understanding how to create movement and texture with visible brushstrokes. It also introduces the concept of simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition: the cypress tree, the village, and the swirling sky.
- step 02
Block in the main colors: dark blue for the sky, yellow for the stars and moon, and dark green/brown for the tree.
- step 03
Apply thick layers of paint using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture and movement in the sky.
- step 04
Create the swirling effect in the sky by layering different shades of blue and white.
- step 05
Add details to the village using small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 06
Define the shape of the cypress tree with bold, dark strokes.
- step 07
Add highlights to the stars and moon to make them stand out.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red · viridian green
Mix different shades of blue by adding white or a touch of red. Create the yellow-green hues by mixing yellow ochre with a small amount of viridian green.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors in the sky, losing the texture and movement.
- →Making the cypress tree too flat and lacking depth.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the dark and light areas.
- →Getting the proportions of the elements wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use good quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended.
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