plate no. 9967

Scottish Landscaps with Lake and Mountains

Maggie Laubser, 1919

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslakelandscapeskycloudstrees

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to simplify a complex landscape into basic shapes and color blocks. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a landscape.

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 of the mountains, lake, and sky.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, focusing on the cloud shapes and color variations.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the distant trees and the foreground.
step 04
Add the colors of the mountains, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the lake, reflecting the colors of the sky and mountains.
step 06
Refine the details of the foreground, adding texture and variations in color.
step 07
Add highlights to suggest light reflecting on the water and mountain tops.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric landscape.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create subtle color shifts in the sky and mountains. Achieve the brown tones by mixing burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and yellow ochre.

techniques

·blocking in
·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Creating overly saturated colors that don't match the muted tones of the original.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat painting.
→Not blending the colors sufficiently, leading to a choppy or unfinished look.