plate no. 2578
Prahova Valley Landscape
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, buildings, and river.
- step 02
Establish the sky and mountain values with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the hills and trees, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Add the buildings and bridge, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 05
Develop the foreground with details like the river, trees, and figures.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · cadmium red light
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing raw umber, white, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use cadmium red light for the roof.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #6, #10)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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