plate no. 3159

Stormy day

oil, canvasRealismlandscapeskycloudsfieldbuildingstreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a landscape using color and brushwork. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 horizon line and placement of the buildings and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, creating the cloud shapes with loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the field, using darker greens in the foreground and lighter greens in the distance.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, using dark browns and grays to define their forms.
step 05
Paint the trees with a mix of greens and browns, suggesting their foliage with textured brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the clouds and field to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Introduce small details like wildflowers in the foreground to add interest.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric landscape.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · violet

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Create various greens by mixing blue, yellow, and white, and use burnt umber to darken the greens for shadows.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Using too much detail in the distance, which flattens the perspective.
→Creating overly saturated colors that detract from the muted tones of the landscape.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a muddy or flat painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green, burnt umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags