plate no. 8633
North African Dwelling
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering light and shadow to create depth and form. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and figures.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Develop the details of the buildings, paying attention to the texture of the stone and stucco.
- step 05
Refine the figures, focusing on their form and clothing.
- step 06
Add highlights to the areas of direct sunlight.
- step 07
Glaze shadows to deepen the dark areas and create atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium red to warm up the colors.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-textured canvas to capture the brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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