plate no. 7142
Purbeck Courtyard, Morning
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, focusing on the buildings, courtyard, and cat.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas using thinned paint, establishing the overall warm tone.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the shadows and highlights to create depth.
- step 04
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest to the buildings and ground.
- step 05
Mix variations of orange, brown, and white to create the different shades and tones.
- step 06
Add details to the cat, focusing on its shape and posture.
- step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and courtyard, adding windows, steps, and other architectural elements.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green
Mix burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the dominant warm tones. Use white to lighten these colors and blue/green to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and not simplifying the scene.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for loose brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the warm undertones.
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