plate no. 3625

Old Indian House, Northern British Columbia

Emily Carr, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetotem polefigurestreesbuildingskyboat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. It also encourages expressive brushwork to capture the mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the totem pole, building, and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and background.
step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows and create depth.
step 04
Develop the details of the totem pole, paying attention to the shapes and patterns.
step 05
Work on the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their gestures.
step 06
Add the details of the building, including the eyes and the texture of the wood.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's grey

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and ochre or sap green. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors (red and green, blue and orange).

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to simplify the complex shapes and forms.
→Not paying attention to the overall value structure of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·rags
·apron

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushwork. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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