plate no. 2773
Study for 'The Dome'
Jeffrey Smart, 1977
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering architectural details and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting realistic textures, such as the grass.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the dome, poles, and horizon line, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, dome, and field using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the dome, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Paint the individual blades of grass in the field, varying the color and direction to create texture.
- step 05
Add the red and white stripes to the poles, ensuring accurate placement and clean lines.
- step 06
Refine the details of the dome, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · payne's gray
Mix various shades of gray for the sky and dome by combining white with raw umber and a touch of Payne's gray. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create the different tones of the grass. Add white to lighten the colors.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the dome wrong.
- →Making the grass too uniform and lacking texture.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·round brushes (small and medium)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will be easier to work with for the detailed areas.
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