plate no. 5585
Plough-land
Janos Mattis-Teutsch, 1916
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified forms and color blocking. Students will learn to capture the essence of a landscape with minimal detail and expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
2
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the converging lines of the fields and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky and mountain areas with thin washes of blue, green, and pink.
- step 03
Apply the yellow and orange tones to the fields, using loose, gestural brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add darker yellows and oranges to create depth and shadow within the fields.
- step 05
Use vertical strokes to suggest the texture of the plowed land.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and colors, adjusting values as needed.
- step 07
Add final details, such as subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 08
Let dry and add a protective varnish if desired.
color palette
primary · yellow · light blue · light green
secondary · pink · orange
Mix yellows with small amounts of orange to create warmer tones. Use white to lighten the blues, greens, and pinks for the sky and mountains.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·loose brushwork
- ·simplified forms
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using too much paint
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Losing the simplicity of the composition
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Canvas or painting paper
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette
- ·Water or solvent
- ·Pencil
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Easel
Use a canvas with a slightly textured surface to enhance the brushstrokes.
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