plate no. 6394
Silence
Arthur Beecher Carles, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create atmospheric perspective and learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing a mood with limited color and detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: the mountain, lake, figure, and moon.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, mountain, and water, using thin washes.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the mountain and figure's hair.
- step 04
Add lighter values to the water, reflecting the sky and moon.
- step 05
Refine the shape of the figure and add subtle details to the face and clothing.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add the moon and its reflection, paying attention to the soft glow.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to values and colors to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber for the dark mountain. Use titanium white to lighten the sky and water. Add a touch of yellow ochre and alizarin crimson to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not blending the colors smoothly enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil for smoother blending.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
