
plate no. 0316
Milton Avery, 1947
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students can learn to create depth and atmosphere with a limited palette and minimal detail.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, landmasses, and horizon line.
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land.
Add darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the rocks and land.
Mix lighter values to suggest highlights and create a sense of depth.
Add the details of the trees on the central landmass.
Refine the edges of the shapes and blend colors where necessary.
Add subtle texture to the sky and water with dry brushing.
Step back and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · pink · green · brown · gray
secondary · purple · yellow
Mix pinks by combining white with a touch of red or purple. Greens can be created by mixing blues and yellows, and browns by mixing reds, yellows, and blues.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Consider using a textured canvas to enhance the brushwork.
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