plate no. 6708
Surveyor
Alex Colville, 2001
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create subtle textures and accurately rendering geometric forms in perspective. It also provides practice in capturing atmospheric perspective in a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, surveying equipment, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the landscape, including the fields, water, and distant landmass.
- step 03
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray tone, creating subtle variations in color to suggest clouds.
- step 04
Paint the figure and surveying equipment, paying close attention to the proportions and details.
- step 05
Develop the landscape by layering different shades of green and brown to create texture and depth.
- step 06
Add the details of the water, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
- step 07
Refine the foreground, adding texture to the ground and any other details.
- step 08
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and realistic image.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · raw umber
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create grays by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and white. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linear perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions of the figure and surveying equipment.
- →Overly saturated colors that detract from the realism.
- →Lack of depth in the landscape.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective.
- →Uneven color mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. If using acrylics, consider using a slow-drying medium to allow for more blending time.
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