plate no. 5732
Small French Landscape
Matthew Smith, 1914
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice simplified forms and expressive color application. Students will learn to capture the essence of a scene with minimal detail and bold brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition (buildings, road, trees).
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue and white.
- step 03
Apply a base layer of yellow to the road, varying the tone slightly.
- step 04
Add the greens of the trees and foliage, mixing different shades.
- step 05
Paint the buildings with simplified shapes and colors.
- step 06
Use red and brown to define shadows and edges.
- step 07
Add details like tree trunks and branches with thin lines.
- step 08
Refine the colors and brushstrokes to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · yellow · green · blue · red
secondary · white · brown · orange
Mix greens by blending blue and yellow. Vary the yellow by adding white or a touch of red. Achieve browns by mixing red, yellow, and blue.
techniques
- ·simplified shapes
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·Impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-blending.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette to encourage color mixing. Consider using a textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
