plate no. 8677
Spring
Kazimir Malevich, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in greens and blues, and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in foliage and clouds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the house, tree, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding white for the clouds.
- step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the house and roof with light washes of color.
- step 04
Lay in the greens for the grass and trees, varying the shades to create depth.
- step 05
Add details to the house, such as windows and the door.
- step 06
Develop the tree in the foreground, adding branches and leaves with short brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights throughout the painting.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the figures in the background.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · sap green · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow light
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow with varying amounts of white. Achieve the off-white of the house by mixing white with a touch of blue and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using too much pure color without mixing.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through color and value.
- →Making the tree too symmetrical.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use good quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas can help to establish the mid-tones.
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