plate no. 2449
Ons Land
Stanley Pinker, 1957
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and understanding how to simplify complex shapes into geometric forms. It also encourages experimentation with surrealist composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, landscape, and key elements like the birds and plants, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, fields, and the building's walls, using thin washes.
- step 03
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and create depth in the landscape and on the building.
- step 04
Begin building up the texture of the fields with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the greens and yellows.
- step 05
Paint the details of the birds and plants, paying attention to their unique shapes and colors.
- step 06
Add the surreal elements like the floating spheres and the glowing cross, ensuring they blend with the overall style.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details, adjusting the colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · orange
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
- ·geometric abstraction
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.
- →Neglecting the importance of the initial sketch, leading to inaccurate proportions and composition.
- →Failing to capture the surreal atmosphere 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 oils)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to help create the broken brushstroke effect. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, but oils will allow for smoother blending.
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