plate no. 2028

Stans, Friedhof

Cuno Amiet, 1942

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapecemeterytreesmountainsskyheadstoneslandscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students will also learn to create a sense of perspective through color and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, mountains, trees, and main headstones.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow, blending them softly.
step 03
Establish the mountain range with muted blues, purples, and greens, varying the values to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the background trees and foliage using various shades of green, adding touches of yellow and blue for highlights and shadows.
step 05
Begin painting the headstones, starting with the larger, more prominent ones. Use a mix of white, gray, and subtle color variations.
step 06
Add details to the headstones, such as crosses and inscriptions, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Paint the foreground foliage and ground cover with a variety of greens, browns, and yellows, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · sap green · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create muted tones by adding a touch of complementary color (e.g., orange to blue). Use white to lighten colors and create variations in value.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, resulting in a painting that lacks harmony.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows and highlights.