plate no. 8109
Paseo a la ciudad
Joan Miro, 1917
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color blocking and simplified forms to create a landscape. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes and non-realistic color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and path, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of muted green and gray.
- step 03
Apply base colors to the buildings, using yellows, oranges, and browns.
- step 04
Paint the path with varying shades of yellow, tan, and green, creating a sense of depth.
- step 05
Add darker outlines to define the shapes and create contrast.
- step 06
Introduce secondary colors like blues and pinks in small areas to add visual interest.
- step 07
Refine the brushstrokes to enhance the texture and expressive quality of the painting.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the dark lines in the foreground, to complete the composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange · rose madder
Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of white. Create variations in the yellows and browns by adding small amounts of orange, green, or blue.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·simplified forms
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Making the outlines too uniform and losing the expressive quality.
- →Failing to simplify the forms and including too much detail.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough, leading to a flat and lifeless 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
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Acrylic paints are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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