plate no. 4044
On the Mount of Olives
Nikolai Ge, 1880
experienced study
This painting is a great exercise in value studies and creating atmosphere with a limited palette. Students can learn to suggest form and depth through subtle shifts in tone.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone gray.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figure, trees, and ground.
- step 03
Block in the darkest areas using a dark mix of black and burnt umber.
- step 04
Establish the mid-tones, focusing on the figure and the ground plane.
- step 05
Add highlights to the face and any areas where light is catching.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figure's face and clothing.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend tones to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches to the trees and background.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · titanium white
Achieve subtle value shifts by gradually adding white to the dark mixtures. Use burnt umber to warm up the blacks and create depth.
techniques
- ·value study
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmosphere.
- →Making the darks too flat and lacking depth.
- →Not paying attention to subtle value changes.
- →Using too much white and making the painting look chalky.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
A smooth canvas will be easier to blend on. Consider using a pre-toned canvas to save time.
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