Shepherd in the Alps

approach — 8 steps

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix muted greens for the distant mountains by combining blue, yellow, and a touch of brown. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques

• ·atmospheric perspective
• ·layering
• ·glazing
• ·dry brushing
• ·soft blending

common pitfalls

• →Overworking the details in the background, which should remain soft and muted.
• →Creating too much contrast in the distant mountains, which will flatten the image.
• →Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to inconsistent shadows.
• →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unrealistic landscape.