plate no. 4061
Roofs
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning about simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited palette to create a harmonious color scheme. Students can practice blocking in large areas of color and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the cloud, focusing on their proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue-green paint.
- step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings using a mix of browns, reds, and whites.
- step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the buildings.
- step 05
Introduce lighter values to represent highlights and create a sense of depth.
- step 06
Add details such as windows, chimneys, and the cloud using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and blend colors where necessary to create a cohesive composition.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black
Mix browns and reds with white to create the various shades of the buildings. Use blue and white with a touch of brown for the sky. Mix black with browns for shadows.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original painting.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy or disharmonious color scheme.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure and creating a flat or uninteresting composition.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough and getting lost in the complexity of the buildings.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cerulean blue, cadmium red light, ivory black)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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