plate no. 7802
Santa Cruz Mountains
Eyvind Earle, 1971
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using geometric shapes to represent organic forms. It also emphasizes the importance of light and shadow to define the landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills and foreground trees, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, hillsides in light, and shadowed areas.
- step 03
Begin layering darker greens and browns to define the tree masses.
- step 04
Add the highlights on the hillsides using lighter yellows and greens.
- step 05
Introduce the red accents in the foreground trees.
- step 06
Refine the shapes of the trees and hills, adding details to create texture.
- step 07
Pay close attention to the edges of the shadows, keeping them sharp and defined.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · dark green · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · titanium white
Mix various shades of green by combining dark green, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Use white to lighten colors for highlights and yellow ochre to create the overall warm tone.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·color blocking
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·hard-edge painting
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat image.
- →Overblending colors, losing the distinct shapes and forms.
- →Making the shadows too soft or blurry.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations within the trees and hills.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Using high-quality acrylic paints will help achieve the desired color saturation and opacity. A smooth canvas surface is recommended for this style.
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