plate no. 3880
S. Girolamo
Julius Bissier, 1919
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in depicting figures and animals within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and figures using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thinned washes of paint, starting with the sky and distant mountains.
- step 03
Gradually build up layers of color on the mountains and trees, adding darker values in the shadows and lighter values in the highlights.
- step 04
Define the shapes of the trees and figures with more detail, using smaller brushes.
- step 05
Add highlights to the figures and animal to create a focal point.
- step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, such as the texture of the rocks and the foliage of the trees.
- step 07
Add final touches of light and shadow to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Allow to dry and varnish if desired.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · ivory black
Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the warm tones of the mountains and trees. Use ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky. Add small amounts of ivory black to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
- →Not simplifying the complex forms of the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for layering and dry brushing. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color palette.
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