apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Shell Holes And Observation Balloon, Champagne Sector
Shell Holes And Observation Balloon, Champagne Sector by Horace Pippin

plate no. 4700

Shell Holes And Observation Balloon, Champagne Sector

Horace Pippin, 1931

oilExpressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapewarskyfieldsdestruction
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values, and how to create texture using visible brushstrokes and limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the main shapes: the buildings, the hill, and the shell holes.

  2. step 02

    Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the buildings.

  3. step 03

    Block in the dark areas of the hill and sky with a diluted dark tone.

  4. step 04

    Paint the white walls of the buildings, leaving some areas darker to suggest shadows and damage.

  5. step 05

    Add texture to the roofs and ground using short, broken brushstrokes.

  6. step 06

    Define the details of the shell holes and the surrounding grass.

  7. step 07

    Add the observation balloon in the sky as a final detail.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix ivory black and titanium white to create various shades of gray. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the grays.

techniques

  • ·dry brushing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·limited palette
  • ·value blocking
  • ·simplified shapes

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details
  • →Making the values too uniform
  • →Losing the sense of depth
  • →Not simplifying the shapes enough

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·painting medium
  • ·easel

Use a canvas with a medium texture to help with the dry brushing technique. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base value.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor