plate no. 4116
OLD VILLAGE HOUSES
JAROSLAV KELUC, 1959
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing reflections in water using broken brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses, fence, and water line.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, houses, and water with thin washes.
- step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and architectural details of the houses.
- step 04
Layer greens and yellows to create the foliage of the trees and grass.
- step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to depict the reflections in the water.
- step 06
Add details to the fence, varying the color and value of each post.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · gray · green · brown · white
secondary · yellow · orange · red
Mix grays by combining white, black, and a touch of brown or blue. Achieve the greens by mixing blues and yellows, and vary the shades by adding brown or white.
techniques
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·wet-on-dry
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →overworking the details
- →making the reflections too uniform
- →not varying the color temperature
- →using too much paint
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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