plate no. 9358

Sunset in Africa

tempera, paper, cardboardExpressionismlandscapemountainsskycloudssunsetlandscapetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as understanding how light interacts with different surfaces in a landscape. The painting also offers practice in creating texture using dry brush techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the mountains, sky, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the sky and distant landscape.
step 03
Begin layering darker tones to define the shapes of the mountains and clouds.
step 04
Add highlights to the mountains and clouds to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 05
Use dry brush techniques to add texture to the foreground and mountains.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees and other vegetation.
step 07
Paint the sun with a vibrant orange or red hue.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium orange

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker tones in the mountains and clouds. Use yellow ochre and titanium white for the lighter areas of the sky and landscape. Add cadmium orange to create the sunset colors.

techniques