plate no. 1602
THE CAUSEWAY, WILTSHIRE DOWNS
Eric Ravilious, 1937
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and understanding how to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes. It's also a good exercise in creating texture with brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the hills, path, and major tree groupings.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
- step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted yellow ochre to the areas that will be the fields and path.
- step 04
Layer in the greens and browns for the hills, starting with lighter shades and gradually adding darker tones.
- step 05
Use small, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the fields and hillsides.
- step 06
Paint the sky with soft, blended blues and grays.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and bushes, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 08
Refine the path and add highlights to create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber
secondary · cerulean blue · titanium white · raw sienna
Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Browns can be achieved by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre or sap green.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
Use good quality paints for best results. A medium-textured canvas will help to create a more interesting surface.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
