plate no. 1548
Sukhumi
Ivan Vladimirov, 1925
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and values. It's also a good exercise in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in earth tones and sky colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hill and the cloud formations, paying attention to the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually adding white to create variations in the clouds.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the hill using a mix of browns and greens, varying the tone to suggest depth.
- step 04
Add darker values to the shadows on the hill, using a mix of burnt umber and a touch of blue.
- step 05
Paint the individual trees, simplifying their forms and using darker greens and browns.
- step 06
Refine the cloud shapes, adding highlights and shadows to create a three-dimensional effect.
- step 07
Add subtle details to the foreground, such as grasses and small rocks.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a sense of harmony.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · sap green · raw sienna
Mix ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky, adding small amounts of yellow ochre for warmer tones. Use burnt umber, yellow ochre, and sap green to create various earth tones for the hill.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through value and color changes.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
- →Not simplifying the forms of the trees and other elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·round brushes size 2, 4, and 6
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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