plate no. 4385

November in Nevada

Maynard Dixon, 1935

oilImpressionismlandscapetreesmountainsskycloudslandscapefoliage

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about color temperature and simplifying complex shapes into basic forms. Students can practice layering and blending to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and clouds, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base color, gradually adding variations in tone and color for the clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the mountains, using a mix of blues, browns, and purples.
step 04
Paint the base color for the ground, varying the tone to create a sense of depth.
step 05
Begin adding the foliage of the trees, using a mix of yellows, oranges, and browns. Consider the light source and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the tree trunks and branches, using thin lines and varying the pressure of your brush.
step 07
Paint the small bushes in the foreground, using a similar color palette to the trees.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre with white for highlights on the trees and ground. Use ultramarine blue with burnt sienna to create the darker tones in the mountains and shadows.

techniques

·color blocking
·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast, leading to a muddy and undefined painting.
→Not simplifying the shapes of the trees and mountains, making the painting look too busy.