plate no. 6557

Road to Porthclais with Setting Sun

Graham Sutherland, 1975

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscaperoadsunskybuildingabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in abstracting landscapes and using a limited palette to create a sense of mood and atmosphere. It also encourages expressive brushwork and simplification of forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the road's curve and the placement of the sun and building.
step 02
Block in the dark areas of the sky and distant hills using a mix of dark browns and blues.
step 03
Apply the base color for the road, a mix of yellow, orange, and white, varying the tone slightly.
step 04
Add the darker brown areas along the road's edges and in the foreground to define its form.
step 05
Paint the yellow sun with thick, opaque paint, adding a few subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Define the building with a light gray-green color, keeping its shape simple and geometric.
step 07
Add details such as the thin lines representing the sun's rays and any small figures or shapes in the landscape.
step 08
Review the painting and adjust values and colors as needed to achieve the desired mood and balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sun and road highlights. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark areas of the sky and landscape. Add small amounts of cadmium orange to warm up the yellows and browns.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·color mixing
·expressive brushstrokes
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the abstract quality.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
→Making the road too symmetrical or uniform.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·yellow ochre paint
·burnt umber paint
·titanium white paint
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushwork. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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